They are retracing the historic trade routes of early days of Dutch colonisation and will go on to Mauritius before visiting Australia.
They made the particular visit, close inshore off Knysna to exchange greetings with local resident, historian and shipmate Chris Henwood, with whom the officers of the ships are on close terms, Chris and his son having previously sailed on the Europa.
Chris and his wife Maria joined one of the boats which went through the Heads to greet the tall ships. A yacht from Knysna Yacht Club, Gemini, carried the club president, Roger Clancy, to pay his respects as well.
Europa
Since 1994 the Dutch three-masted bark, Europa (1911) traveled the oceans following the Trade Winds and developed a reputation as a ship which 'really sails'. The Europa is powered by canvas and co-operation, with a professional crew of 14 and a maximum compliment of 48 voyage crew-members of all ages and nationalities. The classic interior has many authentic details, reflecting maritime history. The comfortable cabins for two, four or six persons each have their own bathroom.
Oosterschelde
The three-masted topsail schooner Oosterschelde is the largest restored Dutch sailing ship, and is a monument for Dutch shipbuilding and maritime navigation under sail. Oosterschelde made several impressive journeys since her restoration in 1992. For example, she sailed an earlier journey around the world (finished in 1998), made several expeditions to Spitsbergen and sails to Cape Verde in Winter-time. But the ship is also in use in domestic and foreign ports for presentation and promotion activities.
Tecla
Tecla was built in 1915 in Vlaardingen, to plunder the rich North Sea fishing zones of herring. Under the name Graaf van Limburg Stirum, she fished as one of the last true commercial sailing vessels for 10 years before being forced into early retirement in Katwijk Harbour, Holland.
In 1935 she was sold to Denmark and sailed the coastal waters of the Denmark transporting heavy grain, stone and turf between the Danish islands. Tecla returned to Holland in the 1979 to be re-fitted as a charter sailing vessel. In 1989, she started sailing and has explored Irish, French and British waters and, after sailing a tall ships regatta in 2007, the owners got addicted to sailing the tall ships’ races.
The three ships will go on to participate in several events in Australia and New Zealand, before setting sail in September to sail around Cape Horn, the southernmost point of South America, visiting South American ports and Antarctica on their way back to Europe.
Three Dutch tall ships came close inshore off Knysna to greet an old friend and shipmate, local resident and historian Chris Henwood with his wife Maria. In the background is the Oosterschelde.
