Better late than never – El Galeon arrives

This morning, Historic City News editor Michael Gold got the call that El Galeon could not make the 11:30 a.m. slack tide in order to arrive in St Augustine as planned; but that did not stop the crew of the 170 foot, 495 ton, detailed replica of ships that brought Spanish explorers and settlers to La Florida 500-years ago — they just had to wait for the next tide.

Historic City News assignment photographer, Raphael Cosme, was there to meet the captain and crew at about 5:00 p.m., as they sailed into the Matanzas Bay; America’s oldest seaport.

“We are excited to welcome El Galeon as it continues its Viva Florida 500 voyage; in commemoration of this year’s 500th anniversary of the naming of La Florida by the well-known Spanish explorer — Ponce de Leon,” said Kathy Catron, Director of Communications for the Visitors and Convention Bureau at FloridasHistoricCoast.com.

St Augustine is the final port-of-call for El Galeon. The ship departed from Puerto Rico, where Ponce de Leon was governor, and has sailed in much the same way his crew did. El Galeon also stopped in Miami, Cape Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale; inviting visitors to come aboard the floating museum and living-history testament to the mariners who forged Florida’s history.

Tomorrow will be a day for El Galeon to get situated at the St Augustine Municipal Marina; which it will call “home” from Thursday May 23 through Monday, June 3.

The 16th century sailing ship will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for public visits. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children; ages 6 to 12, and children age 5 and under are free.

Photo credits: © 2013 Historic City News contributed photograph by Raphael Cosme