IGY Destination, St Katharine Docks Marina will be welcoming another incredible replica ship to the Docks this May.
Coinciding with May half term week, the 93ft museum ship ‘Nao Santa Maria’ will be arriving – weather permitting – on 28 May and opening to the public 29 May – 8 June. The visit follows in the wake of the successful stay of the 49m Nao Victoria Foundation ship, the Galeón Andalucía in September 2024.
In the 15th century, the navigator and explorer Christopher Columbus led an expedition onboard his flagship, the Santa Maria. The four-masted nao (carrack) is thought to be one of the most significant and influential ship designs in history and was capable of coping with the heavy winds and waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Columbus departed from Huelva in Spain on 3 August 1492 and sailed west in search of a faster way to China instead of the established route around Africa and across the Indian Ocean. Ten weeks later, on 12 October 1492, it made landfall at what is now San Salvador in the Bahamas.
In 2018 a full-size authentic replica of the Santa Maria was launched in Spain by the Nao Victoria Foundation, who specialise in re-creating such vessels to research, promote and develop greater awareness of their heritage and contribution to maritime history. Constructed in accordance to original size and design yet equipped with modern navigation and communication equipment, Santa Maria is ‘remarkably authentic’. The cabins are appropriately furnished with either genuine or reproduction artifacts, with the interior including the Captain’s cabin, holds, crew and working areas. The ship’s four masts accommodate 300 m2 (3,250 sq ft) of sail, and its rigging incorporates more than 3.2 km (2 miles) of rope.
Relaunched after a refit in Spain, the Santa Maria is now embarking on its first tour of north European waters and selected British ports. The ship will be arriving at St Katharine Docks Marina at approximately 1200hrs on Wednesday 28 May and will be berthed in the historic centre basin, berthed adjacent to the Lock and Haven Building. With over 117 m2 (1200 sq ft) of visiting/exhibition areas spread over four decks, the replica ship is sure to captivate visitors of all ages. Ticket pricing and information will be released closer to the event via The Nao Victoria Foundation website (www.fundacionnaovictoria.org).
Marina Manager, Paul Atkins said: “It was fantastic to host the incredible Galeón Andalucía last year, and we are all looking forward to working with The Nao Victoria Foundation and the Santa Maria’s crew to make it another successful visit. It will be a spectacle and St Katharine Docks provides the perfect backdrop, and we hope visitors are able to come and enjoy the vessel”.
