The Swedish East Indiaman Götheborg III, at Eriksberg, awaiting her European Tour 2015.
Text & Photo © JE Nilsson, CM Cordeiro, Sweden 2015
It is one of those days with low dark clouds, heavy with water, framed against azure skies. At dockside, the rigging of the Swedish East Indiaman Götheborg III stood sturdy against the winds. The jests and laughter of the crew onboard that were working towards preparing the Ship for her European Tour 2015, sounded a contrasting more upbeat tone compared to the darkened, more sombre oak of the Ship.
Classified as a modern sailing vessel even if canon armoured in a body of oak and tar, the Ship has a back up power source in her Volvo Penta engines fitted with Rolls-Royce propellers well hidden inside her hull.
As always, she looked magic and majestic, even if temperamental at times. Her most resplendent moments, are when she is out at sea, snuggling up among the waves and talking with the winds.
Not for the faint of heart, the masts are 47m and the bowsprit of the Götheborg III extends 58 m (190 ft 3 in).
