Gazela Arrives At New London Waterfront

The barkentine Gazela appeared off the New London waterfront this afternoon, sailing up the Thames River right on time for the events.

The 177-foot ship hovered for a time near the Groton shore, then sailed over to New London once the route was clear. The Gazela then carefully pulled in and tied up at the Pier, where she will remain for the weekend's events. Tours of the Gazela will run from noon to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, as well as noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

According to the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild website, the Gazela was built in 1901 in Setubal, Portugal. It was originally used as a fishing vessel, making trips to the cod grounds off Newfoundland until 1969. The next year, philanthropist William Wikoff Smith purchased the Gazela for the Philadelphia Maritime Museum, and in 1971 it was brought to the United States after first sailing along Christopher Columbus' route to the Canary Islands and Puerto Rico. The ship was transferred to the preservation guild in 1985 and now travels to numerous events along the eastern seaboard.