Sail training ship in harbour

The Portuguese navy sail training ship Sagres is in the Grand Harbour, idling in the calm, azure sea, waiting to receive visitors at Pinto Wharf.

The majestic ship, a topsail barque painted completely white with shiny brass, is in Malta until next week.

The ship, launched in Hamburg in 1938 and christened Albert Leo, stretches 88.5m in length with a beam of 11.7m and a draft of 5.1m. Made from steel by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, the ship was intended as a school ship for the German navy. It was rigged as a three-masted barque carrying royals over single topgallant sails and double topsails.

It was captured by US forces in 1945 and three years later became a school ship for the Brazilian navy and was renamed Guanabara.

In 1962 it was bought by the Portuguese navy to replace their old school ship Sagres - the Guanabara was renamed Sagres. The Sagres still serves this purpose and is easily recognisable by the red crosses it carries in its square sails.

The ship is open to the public until Sunday between 10.30 a.m. and noon and from 1.30 - 6.30 p.m.

Cassar & Cooper are the local agents.