Victoria’s Tall Ships Festival

 
"The sights and sounds of seafaring life sailed into Victoria this month when the 2008 Tall Ships Festival docked at the city’s historic Inner Harbour, June 26-29.

Taking center stage at Tall Ships 2008 is the Bounty.  Famous for her role alongside Marlon Brando in Mutiny on the Bounty, this leading lady is a crowd favourite wherever she docks. 

Another star ship joining Bounty in Victoria’s harbour is Niña, a replica of the 15th century vessel commanded by Christopher Columbus during his historic voyage of discovery in 1492.  Said to be Columbus’ favourite ship, Niña’s story is one of survival.  Weathering a hurricane and even a clash with pirates off the coast of Italy.

Other ships in the 2008 fleet include USCG Eagle, the famous brig Lady Washington, featured in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean with Johnny Depp, the oldest ship in the Canadian Navy, HMCS Oriole, and Hawaiian Chieftain, a replica of a nineteenth century European merchant trader.

Victoria is the first port of call, for the full Tall Ships fleet participating in the 2008 Tall Ships Challenge®, a series of races along the west coast of Canada and the United States."
 

(click on any small photo below to enlarge)