El Galeon Andalucia returns to port

As part of a “Homeport 450th Dockage Agreement” the historical replica of a Spanish tall ship, El Galeon Andalucia, sailed into Matanzas Bay this morning.

Dana Ste. Claire, Director of the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration, is counting on El Galeon for promotion of the 450th Commemoration throughout 2015 — but this stay only includes plans to remain in port through the beginning of February.

El Galeón is owned and operated by the Nao Victoria Foundation of Seville, Spain. The agreement that provides for use of the facilities of the Municipal Marina, in exchange for a commission on ticket sales, only continues through January 1, 2016.

Daily tours start Friday, December 19th from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Veterans and St. Johns County residents receive a $2 discount on tickets with identification. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for youth age 5 to 12.

The Spanish galleon replica left St Augustine four months ago after making the agreement with the City. The twenty-eight crew members have been visiting other ports along the east coast, including New York City. Later, the 170-foot, 495-ton authentic wooden replica of a Spanish galleon, was used in the making of the television series Crossbones on location in Puerto Rico.

The first ship like El Galéon to arrive in St. Augustine was the flagship of founder Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Named the San Pelayo, the 650-ton ship, one of the most powerful ships of its day, carried 800 colonists and supplies to St. Augustine, establishing the first permanent European settlement in the United States in 1565.