NEW ORLEANS — Docked at the Port of New Orleans is a rare up-close view of living history, in particular the relationship between Spain and the United States.
“It’s a masterpiece. I call it a masterpiece of the seas,” said Claudia Shabetai with the Spanish organization Granaderos y Damas de Galvez en Louisiana.
That masterpiece is the Juan Sebastian de Elcano, a Tall Ship from the Spanish Navy used to train sailors. Built in 1927, the 370-foot-long ship is the third largest Tall Ship in the world, and one of the oldest still sailing.
“To me, it’s a magnificent ship,” said Shabetai.
For Shabetai, the ship is a must see.
“People should be able to learn about the history and to learn about the ship and what the ship means to Spain. It’s an ambassador of Spain,” said Shabetai.
It’s also a representation of the anchored history of Spanish influence in Louisiana, especially in New Orleans.
“Everyone thinks of New Orleans as primarily French with our background and that’s very true, but honestly, we were Spanish as much as we were French at one time,” said interim director of the Louisiana State Museum Susan Maclay.
Maclay points to the American Revolution. It was Spain that helped the colonies gain independence from British rule, leading to the creation of the United States.
“The ideals of the American Revolution still resonate today. They’re still extremely important for humanity,” said Maclay.
A connection to those ideals is on display for the public. The ship’s four wooden masts are each named after the four previous training ships. It sails around the world, spending six months on the water, for sailors to train.
“It has sailors, and it has future officers that after this trip are going to graduate,” said Shabetai.
A trip that helps strengthen future relationships by embracing the past.
Public visits to the ship are Monday, May 20th, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Also, Tuesday, May 21st, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and then again from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
The ship is docked at the Julia Street Terminal, right behind the Riverwalk.