Replica ship five-years in the making to be presented to city

This week, Historic City News readers are invited to attend when the mayor of Avilés, Spain, two members of their city council, a researcher and naval engineer-designer, will visit their Sister City, St Augustine, Florida; bringing with them a very special gift.

Avilés, Spain is one of St. Augustine’s sister cities and the birthplace of St. Augustine’s founder, Pedro Menendez.

“Elaine Fraser, who has long and deep relationships with Aviles as well as being part of the Sister Cities organization, is acting as the City’s liaison to our visitors from Spain to ensure we are gracious hosts,” St Augustine mayor Nancy Shaver told Historic City News earlier today. “I am delighted by her support and willingness to take on this important role.”

Accompanying the delegation, an exact replica scale model of the San Pelayo, the ship on which Menendez sailed when he landed in Florida on September 8, 1565 and founded the city of St. Augustine.

“Constructing the model took over five years of extensive research and painstaking craftsmanship,” Fraser, who is no stranger to the effort required to produce such a piece, told local reporters.

The model, which will remain on display at the Visitor Information Center, measures approximately 3.8′ in length, 2′ in width, and 3.8′ in height.

Immediately following the presentation, the mayor of Avilés, Pilar Varela Díaz, and St. Augustine mayor, Nancy Shaver, will sign a proclamation in support of their efforts as Compassionate Cities.

The presentation will be held at the Visitor Information Center, 10 West Castillo Drive in St Augustine, starting at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26th.