USPS Publication Number 16300
THE
SUMMATIONWeeklyy
This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
S E RV I N G T H E F I RS T J U D I C I A L C I RC U I T Vol. 23, No. 21
May 24, 2023
SummationWeekly.com
1 Section, 8 Pages
Section A, Page 1
JUAN SEBASTIÁN DE ELCANO RETURNS TO PORT OF PENSACOLA
By Darien Hardy
A
s summer weather approaches and Pensacolians begin returning to the beaches and parks to bask in the sunlight, so too does a local favorite event make its return for the ninth time. The Navy training tall ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano is underway to the Port of Pensacola—Commendencia Street Slip. From May 29 to June 3, locals and tourists alike will have the opportunity to visit this historic ship. This visit will coincide with Fiesta Pensacola festivities, which include free-to-the-public ship tours. “This is a very unique opportunity for Pensacola in that the rich history of the ship celebrates and reinforces the heritage of Pensacola and our Spanish history,” said CAPT Daniel McCort USN (ret), former President of the Pensacola Navy League. Philip “Lipo” Davis, the Honorar y Consul from Spain in Pensacola, having succeeded the position from his mother, Dame
Maria Davis, will spearhead the return of the Elcano to Pensacola. The world-famous Elcano has been repeatedly visiting Pensacola since 1959 to celebrate the city’s rich Spanish history. Commanded by Captain Manuel García Ruiz, The Elcano is a four-masted topsail schooner and is one of the oldest tall ships sailing today. Built and launched in 1927, The Elcano was named after the Spanish explorer who completed Ferdinand Magellan’s first-ever circumnavigation of the earth from 1519 to 1522. In the last nearly 100 years, the ship has gone to sea and sailed nearly two million miles. The ship itself is very large at well over 300 feet long. It’s got an enormous set of sails with a full mast called a “square topper.” The ship carries a Spanish Navy captain (the commanding officer), under him, an executive officer, a chief of studies, and an additional 20 officers, 80 naval and marine midshipmen, 20 petty officers, 150 crew members and, because at its heart, the Elcano is a
floating school, between three and six civilians. The Elcano is a commissioned vessel by the Spanish Navy, and its mission is to train Spanish naval midshipmen. To do this task, the ship goes on an annual six-month deployment during which they make a number of stops, a favorite being Pensacola. While the Elcano is underway, midshipmen are under instruction learning navigation, seamanship and nautical skills that are needed later in life as naval officers. They’re also amidst an intercultural exchange with the opportunity for personal growth and language development. “The goal is for the crew to engage with and learn more about our city, as we learn more about our city’s Spanish influence,” Mark Curley, current President of the Pensacola Navy League commented in a press release. For more information about the Elcano visit and public tours, visit the upcoming events page at pensacolanavyleague.org.
Schedule of Ship Events & Public Tours: The Schedule of Events below are subject to change pending weather and other conditions. Updates will be posted on the Pensacola Navy League website at pensacolanavyleague.org. Monday, May 29: Elcano will arrive at the Commendencia Street Slip at the Port of Pensacola at 9 am9 am to 10 am: Welcome at the Port of Pensacola • 1 pm to 4 pm: Public Tours • 5 pm to 7 pm: Navy League Reception Tuesday, May 30: • 9 am: Consul General Arrival • 10 am to 12:30 pm: Public Tours • 7 pm to 9 pm: Reception on Board Wednesday, May 31: • 9:15 am: Mass and Jura de Bandera for Spanish Nationals • 3 pm to 6 pm: Public Tours
• •
10:30 am to 12 pm: Blue Angels Practice 6:45 pm: Fiesta Days
Thursday, June 1: • 10 am to 2 pm: Wreath Laying at Sea or at the Plaza de Luna Statue • 4 pm to 6 pm: Public Tours Friday, June 2: • 9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm: Public Tours • 7 pm: Fiesta Parade • 9 pm: Post Parade Party Saturday, June 3: • 1 pm: Boat Parade • Elcano departure from The Port of Pensacola–No Public Tours
Visitors must be able to climb stairs. Strollers will not be permitted on the ship. Paid parking will be available Downtown. There are no public restrooms aboard the Elcano. ■
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