After leaving Cadiz on March 1st, and sailing with favorable winds for seven days, the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ arrived at Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands) for a three-day visit.
Local citizens and institutions welcomed the crew and midshipmen of the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ and showed their appreciation for the fact that Tenerife, after Cádiz and Marín, is the most visited city by this 87-year old training ship.
During the docking maneuvers, the “Gesta Cultural Association” (a historical society which commemorates Nelson’s defeat on July 25th 1797) wearing period uniforms, greeted the ship with gun salutes. On Saturday, the city’s Lord Mayor and the ship’s Commanding Officer unveiled a plaque in one of Tenerife traffic circles with the name of the Spanish Navy training ship. It was one of the many ways the city has expressed its affection for the ship; another example was the award of the Gold Medal in 1978.
More than 4,000 people visited the ship, including students from 8 schools.
The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ is now sailing towards Praia in Cape Verde. It will be the first time the ship visits this island before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
[mappress] Press Release, March 13, 2014; Image: Spanish Navy