NEWS RELEASE
NAO VICTORIA FOUNDATION
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The Nao Trinidad arrived in Midland the morning of the July 20. She is docked in Midland Harbour and is ready to take part in the Tall Ships Festival in Midland this upcoming weekend.
She started the Great Lakes tour in Brockville by the end of June, and after that she participated in Festival of Sail in Sandusky, Tall Ship Festival in Cleveland, and Festival of Sail in Alpena, where she received more than 8,000 visitors. Now she continues her course to Midland expecting to keep spreading the maritime heritage.
The Nao Trinidad was the flagship of what was called Armada de Maluco (1519-1522), captained by Ferdinand Magellan. Five ships (Naos) departed from Sevilla, but only two made it to the Spice Islands; Nao Trinidad was one of them.
This beautiful replica weighs 150 ons, 93 feet in length, and has a 26-foot beam, three masts and a bowsprit. The height of the mainmast is more than 82 feet, five sails and five decks, built with an exquisite work in Iroko (African hardwood) and pinewood. This ship has sailed to many different ports across the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic European Coast as a training vessel and floating museum.
The Naos have this unique and original design that made them the most advanced in naval engineering, used first as cargo ships in Spain and then taking the lead as exploring vessels. She is a full-scale replica, faithful on her design and dimensions. More than 100 artisans of the sea worked on her construction, such as ship carpenters, rope masters or naval engineers.
Currently, the Nao Trinidad is immersed in an important international tour that has the sponsorship of EXTENDA (Andalusia’s regional government), for the promotion of Andalusian products and companies abroad, being a true “ambassador” of Andalusia in all the countries where she will be stopping over this year, when we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the First Circumnavigation of the World, the greatest nautical achievement in history, that had origin and destination in Andalusia.
The visitors will be able to tour four decks, to feel how the life was like on board at the time and how it is to live today on an historical ship of these characteristics. They will be able to learn about the manoeuvring, the rigging and interact with the crew, who have the most amazing experiences on their long voyages.
The Nao Victoria Foundation is a non-profit entity that specializes in sharing the maritime heritage, researching for the recovery, construction and promotion of historical ships, sailing to ports around the world allowing guests to meet history.
The NV Foundation is constantly looking for the historical accuracy combined with innovative techniques in the ship building sector, always following the current international regulations. This represents a massive advance in terms of environmental impact, costs, durability and maintenance of the ships, without affecting their historical aspect, navigability or maneuver.
Ticket info:
July 22 to 24
Midland Harbour
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets: www.midland.ca
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