Photo By Joseph Rivera Rebolledo | Chile Navy's Esmeralda makes its entry to San Juan's Pier One on Dec. 12. The...... read more read more
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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The ancient walls of El Morro Castle witnessed the arrival of the world’s second tallest and longest sailing ship, the Chilean Navy School Vessel Esmeralda, to San Juan, Dec. 12.
Since early in the morning, personnel of the Puerto Rico National Guard gathered at San Juan’s pier one in preparation for the vessel’s arrival. The 248th Army Band performed for the occasion as a symbol of appreciation to the sailors of the allied country.
Puerto Rico’s Secretary of State, David Bernier, and the Chilean consul in Puerto Rico, Cyril Meduña, welcomed the ship and crew members upon arrival. Members of the Chilean community in Puerto Rico also joined the welcoming party with the performance of traditional dances and songs group while spectators waved Chilean flags during the occasion.
Sailors, dressed in white, stood in attention at the ship’s rails during the docking process while enjoying the folk show, music and the morning view of the Old San Juan harbor.
According to the ship’s captain, Cmdr. Juan Andrés de la Maza, visiting San Juan brought lots of fond memories as this was one of the first destinations during his early years as a sea cadet.
After docking, the ship’s commander and his staff visited the mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulín Cruz, at the Old San Juan City Hall. They also had an officer’s call with the adjutant general of Puerto Rico, Brig. Gen. Juan J. Medina-Lamela, at the Puerto Rico National Guard Headquarters and a visit to the Coast Guard San Juan Sector commander, Capt. Drew W. Pearson.
During the official activities in the afternoon, the captain of the Esmeralda received a visit from the governor of Puerto Rico, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, and Consul Meduña. The governor asked about the ship’s history and the everyday life of a sailor aboard the Esmeralda.
Activities for the crew during the weekend include a wreath laying at Cmdr. Arturo Prat’s monument in San Juan, cultural visits to areas of interest around Puerto Rico and a religious service for the Chilean community.
The ship will be in San Juan from Dec. 13 to 16 and will be open to the general public free of charge. The ship is scheduled to sail out of the San Juan harbor on Dec. 17 en-route to Curacao.
The construction of the Esmeralda began in Cadiz, Spain, in 1946 and was delivered as a four-masted topsail schooner to the government of Chile on June 15, 1954. It can carry a crew of up-to 335 sailors. The Esmeralda, also known as “The White Lady” is in its 58th training sail.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.13.2013 15:36 |
| Story ID: | 118204 |
| Location: | SAN JUAN, PR |
| Web Views: | 334 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Chile’s Esmeralda visits San Juan, by Luis Orengo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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