The Galeon Andalucia has been visiting the Chesapeake Bay this past two weeks. First coming up to Baltimore for the Star Spangled Spectacular, a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner.
Following the ten day celebration, the Andalucia sailed south to Annapolis and has been docked next to the Naval Academy. A truly beautiful sight, old within the new. A 16th century styled galleon next to modern yachts
The morning was bright and sunny with blue skies and the waterfront beginning to bustle with visitors and locals alike. Sunday mornings in Annapolis is a leisure morning with dog owners coming out with their unique pets, and exotic car owners park for Cars and Coffee. The Andalucia stood overall, watching stoically as the town came alive with activity.
After seeing the galleon several times, it was time for me to get on and explore the inside. Built in 2010 to the original specifications of Spanish Galleons used in the West Indies, this ship was popular for pirates to hijack and make it their own.
The masts stood tall and strong in the blue skies, miles of ropes intertwined throughout.
With four masts, ten canons and seven sails the Galeon Andalucia is a force to be reckoned with. The front and back upper decks slope towards the center of the ship. Standing on the bow, I could feel the gentle movement of the water below and imagined what it was like to be a Spanish sailor in 25 foot ocean swells. Bouncing high and low on the open seas.
A custom bell hangs for signaling when needed.
Heading below in the canon area, I learned that 70 to 100 sailors would ‘try’ to sleep in hammocks attached to the low ceiling above the canons. No showers, snoring sailors, moving sea conditions. Hopefully exhaustion from working on the deck lended sleep to the hard working seamen.
It was a thrill to be on her deck finally and have my footsteps walk the plank that many more before me have done. If you ever get a chance to be near where the Galleon Andalucia is docked for visitation, it’s well worth the trip.
Categories: Annapolis, Maryland, travel, War of 1812
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Gorgeous captures – love the “feel” of the black and whites! 🙂
Me too Joanne. Time for me to get back to shooting things other than birds. Although I must admit I’m a bit addicted.
Precioso y muy impresionante!
Un barque de su pais del nacimiento. Eso es para ti.
Muchas gracias. Un beso. ❤
I agree with Joanne, fantastic captures and the shots in b&w are my favorite! Wonderful perspective, such great detail and texture!
Thank you so much Susan. Means so much coming from you as such a fantastic photographer.
I agree too…the black and whites are fantastic…great perspective on the masts.
Thank you so much Beth. I tell you, those masts were so high that looking up I felt a little dizzy. :–)
Awesome captures! I often wondered about these times, ship making and traveling the oceans 🙂
I can’t even imagine how difficult it is to cross the Atlantic in a ship like this. They take the original route which is from the Canary Islands across to the caribbean. Guess there’s a good gulf stream that helps things move along.
All mapped and forecasted now, sailors of old had to literally map area by area and wing it, dang! 😮
Isn’t that crazy how they managed to do that. Thank goodness for modern GPS trackers.
For sure! 😀
Interesting perspectives and great photos! Whenever I hear some one complain how tough they have it these days, I wonder if they ever think back in history to when surviving the day was all one could ask for.
People have really no idea. Did you happen to see the movie 12 years as a slave? I saw that this past week finally and talk about a real eye opener. Wow..we are truly spoiled in our day and age.
What are these movies that you ask about? You mean those things on youtube?
One of many. Actually you may like this one. Based on a true story written in the mid 1800’s by a free black man that was kidnapped and taken to Louisiana for 12 years as a slave.
Ha! Spent the morning there myself. Lovely – got some very similar photos. Will have to blog and share at birdingboomers.com so you can see what caught my attention.
That’s fantastic Joannie and thrilled that you were able to spend some time with the Andalucia. I just love her. Can’t wait to see what pics you got too.
Wonderful photos, Emily. I would love to see this gorgeous galleon for myself. 🙂
Great photos, Emily. Did you get to climb to the crow’s nest/ 🙂
I only wish Bob. Alas, we were to stay on board. 🙂