‘Götheborg of Sweden’ heads to Barclays Jersey Boat Show
The world’s largest ocean-going wooden sailing ship, The ‘Götheborg of Sweden’, will be visiting Jersey for the Barclays Jersey Boat Show this year.
The ship, which is a replica of an 18th century Swedish East India Company merchant ship that sank off Gothenburg in 1745, will be one of the highlights of the show. It is the first time the ship has visited Jersey, and she will be moored alongside Albert Pier throughout the Boat Show.
The replica was launched 20 years ago after a ten-year build, and the Boat Show will be her third stopover on the European Tour 2023. The ship will arrive from a long sail through the Straits of Gibraltar, along the Portuguese coast and across the Bay of Biscay. After the stopover in Jersey, Götheborg will continue heading north towards her home port of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Jersey’s Harbour Master, Captain Bill Sadler, said: “We are delighted to welcome this unique ship to the Barclays Jersey Boat Show. The show regularly attracts more than 30,000 visitors, and Götheborg will undoubtedly be one of the main attractions. The ship will welcome visitors and provide a special opportunity to glimpse what life was like for an 18th century sailor.”
Kristoffer Bennis, Expedition Director at Götheborg, said: “This is the first time Götheborg of Sweden has visited Jersey, and will form one of our select port stops this year. We are looking forward to a great visit to the Channel Islands.”
Last year, Götheborg of Sweden made 13 stopovers in eleven countries across Europe. More than 60,000 people visited the ship during the different stopovers, and 500 people sailed with the ship as deckhands.
Apply to sail as a deckhand
It is possible to apply to sail as a paying deckhand on board the Jersey to Rotterham leg.
A crew of 70 people is needed to sail the ship – about 20 are professional crew, with the other 50 being members of the public acting as deckhands, sailing along for the adventure, experience, and opportunity to learn how to sail an 18th century ship.