Dublin Port Company (DPC) and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ireland have today welcomed the arrival of the German Navy’s Tall Ship “Gorch Fock”, carrying a crew of 182, most of them young naval cadets.
It was a beautiful morning for her arrival, having anchored in Dublin Bay overnight and sailed up the River Liffey this morning; just as well as by Thursday lunch time, a sea fog was rolling in on the bay.
As Afloat reported earlier, used as a sail training vessel for the German Navy, Gorch Fock is visiting Dublin for the sixth time, the first since 2015. She is named after the German writer Johann Kinau who wrote under the pseudonym ‘Gorch Fock’ and was killed in the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
The German Navy Tall Ship, "Gorch Fock", passes the Poolbeg chimney's on the River Liffey at Dublin Port Photo: Conor Healy
During her stay in Dublin, this spectacular tall ship will open to the public to visit, free of charge, on Sunday, 25th June 2023, from 2-5 pm. She is at Berth 18, which is located immediately east of the Tom Clarke Bridge, on the North Wall extension in Dublin Port, accessible from beside the roundabout at 3Arena. Members of the public will be able to see the naval cadets at work on board and inspect the fine craftsmanship of the vessel up close.
The German Navy Tall Ship, "Gorch Fock", on the River Liffey at Dublin Port ahead of a five-day visit to the capital. Photo: Conor Healy
Measuring 81.4 metres in length, the three-masted barque, commissioned in 1958 and renovated between 2015 and 2021, is Germany’s best-known tall ship. More than 15,000 officer and non-commissioned officer candidates have been trained on board to date.
Led by Captain Andreas-Peter Graf von Kielmansegg, Gorch Fock’s visit to Dublin comes towards the end of her 175th training journey on her way back from Spain and Portugal, a journey involving more than 250 naval cadets in total. On training voyages, the naval cadets learn basic seamanship skills, the importance of teamwork, camaraderie and safe seafaring while enjoying new cultures and countries.
German Ambassador to Ireland Cord Meier-Klodt (right), with the commander of the SS Gorch Fock, Captain Andreas-Peter Graf von Kielmansegg (left), at the arrival of the tall ship at Dublin Port Photo: Conor Healy
The German Ambassador to Ireland, Cord Meier-Klodt, said: “It is a very special honour to welcome the Gorch Fock, our iconic three-mast navy school ship, and her young and diverse crew to Dublin. Built in my hometown Hamburg in 1958, she is as we call her "our Ambassador under sails". The visit symbolises our friendship and both our countries' great maritime traditions.”
German Ambassador to Ireland Cord Meier-Klodt on board the tall ship Gorch Fock at Dublin Port Photo: Conor Healy
Encouraging the public to visit Gorch Fock this Sunday, Michael McKenna, Harbour Master, Dublin Port Company, said; “Tall ship visits to Dublin always capture people’s imagination and curiosity about life on board these spectacular vessels, and Gorch Fock is no exception. I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to explore this fascinating vessel on Sunday, and to extend a warm welcome to the crew onboard. For many, it is their first visit to Ireland and a really important next step in their career at sea.”
The wheel of the German Navy Tall Ship, "Gorch Fock". Measuring 81.4 metres in length, the three-masted barque, commissioned in 1958 and renovated between 2015 and 2021 Photo: Conor Healy
