The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Swedish tall ship set to dock in Chennai

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 20, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Swedish tall ship set to dock in Chennai

Staff Reporter

Gotheborg visit to coincide with `Sweden comes to India' fest

A hand-out picture of Swedish ship `Gotheborg'

CHENNAI : Come this month end, the winds will be blowing a wooden replica of an 18th century Swedish tall ship `Gotheborg' to the Chennai port. The ship, scheduled to dock on January 31, will be in time for the "Sweden Comes to Chennai" 10-day event, beginning January 30.

On Friday, Swedish Ambassador Harald Falth said that with the event, they hope to bring aspects of Swedish life to the city, and create opportunities for commercial and economic ties.

The press release said, "Chennai's increasing importance as a commercial hub is one of the primary reasons why the chief sponsors of the ship were... in favour of the city as the only official port of call in India".

The original ship ran aground in 1745 after its third voyage to Asia. The wreck was salvaged later and a replica built, which has a Volvo diesel engine as a back-up, and modern communication and navigation aids.

`Gotheborg', sailing here from Singapore, has onboard six Chennai residents serving as volunteer crew, including actor Revathy. Schools interested in visiting it may call 28112232; the public may call 28110669. The ship will be welcomed by Governor S.S. Barnala, Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Maud Olofsson and Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu.

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