This week a more unusual boat than normal moored up in Canary Wharf -London’s old Docklands district – the Swedish “Götheburg”. 
The “Götheburg” is the largest wooden sailing ship in the world, and my London Shoes couldn’t miss the opportunity to pop along to my old work location (between the years 2002 to 2017) – to take a look at her, as she was only going to be moored there from Monday 8th Aug to Thursday 11th Aug.
The ship is a to-scale replica of an 18th Century Swedish “East Indiaman Götheburg” trading boat, which tragically sank in 1745 just 900 meters from Gothenberg Harbour – having just spent 30 months sailing around the globe.
The original ship could hold roughly 830 tones – and in its lifetime made a total of 3 trips to China and back – giving the “Götheburg” legendary status in Swedish nautical history. 
In 1992 a massive cultural project to construct a to-scale replica of this famous ship began. It took 10yrs to build – eventually making its maiden voyage in 2005, when it set off (as in the old days) from the port of Gothenberg to China.
One and a half years later, the “Götheburg” returned to Sweden, and to a heroes welcome.
This magnificent vessel has actually visited London’s Canary Wharf before – back in 2007 – at a time when I was working at the Barclays Bank Head Office located there – and I did actually pop along to take a look at it in a lunch break – but at that time, no visitors were allowed on-board.
However – for the visit of the “Swedish Götheburg” this week, the ship will be open to the public for 4 days – before casting-off at 2pm on Friday, and heading back up the Thames and on to Germany, its next port of call in its 2 year journey through Europe to Asia. 
The expedition is scheduled to end with the final stop off in Shanghai in September 2023.
Personally – I felt the admission costs were a bit on the steep side – £15 adults and £7.50 for visitors aged five to 16 – but it was an experience just appreciating the sheer size, height and might of this amazing ship – and the work and effort that must be required by the crew to keep her seaworthy and move her along to her next destination.
Wandering around the decks of the “Götheburg” (in ridiculously hot temperatures) was a one-off experience, and one that my London Shoes thoroughly enjoyed – and I hope you enjoyed the accompanying photos.
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See below the full gallery of photos taken to support this blog
The Swedish “Götheburg” sails in to London on Sunday 7th Aug 2022 – for its 4 day stop-over in Canary Wharf.
The “Götheburg” moored up and open to the public – in Canary Wharf’s ‘South Quay’.
Me – on board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
Me – at the wheel of the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
A member of the crew – repairing sails of the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
Me – on board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
On board the “Götheburg”
Me – on board the “Götheburg”
Great text and pics. I saw it some weeks ago when harbouring Swedish city of Helsingborg!👍
Thank you Tomas – I had a feeling that you might particularly be interested in this one 🙂
What a magnificent vessel the ship is – its massive – it must be such hard work being a crew member.
Really pleased I got to ‘climb aboard’!!
Take care Tomas
Regards…….GEOFF (London Shoes)
Both you and the ship are looking good Geoff, hope you’re keeping well.
Up the ‘ammers 👍🏽
Cheers, Nigel
Brilliant, lovely ship and well done for braving the temperatures !