Battleangel

The East Indiaman Götheborg arrived at its destination, Guangzhou, China yesterday. Pomp and circumstance ensued of course, but above all else it highlights an important part of the history of both China and Sweden. It also shows how ordinary people can band together to substantiate dreams in an extraordinary way.

The replica of the 18th century ship spent nearly ten months sailing along the ancient maritime Silk Road. And it has finally arrived in Guangzhou, capital of South China’s Guangdong Province, and its destination centuries ago.

Amidst cheers from tens of thousands of spectators, the biggest antique wooden sailboat [of its kind /note] in the world sailed into Guangzhou Nansha Passenger Dock.

Nearly 300 years ago, the original Gotheborg pioneered trade between Sweden and China. It traveled between Sweden and China three times in six years and brought Sweden massive amounts of Chinese tea and porcelain. But it sank only 900 meters away from her final destination.

4000 workers were involved in building the 30 million US dollars replica. Gotheborg carries 80 crew members and some of the silk, porcelain, tea leaves and spices that went down with the original ship.