Studer Community Institute

Elcano sailing to Pensacola to celebrate U.S. citizenship

May 8, 2015
/ Staff Reports
/ economy

Juan Sebastian de Elcano is setting sails for Pensacola. The Fiesta of Five Flags and Maria Davis, Honorary Vice Consul to Spain, announced that the world's third largest "tall ship" will visit Pensacola from May 27 to June 1. Launched on March 5, the Elcano is the official training ship for the Royal Spanish Navy and entrusted with the formation and training of the Spanish Naval Midshipmen. Since 1927 the ship has sailed more than 1.5 million nautical miles through all the seas of the world. Of the 77 cruises she has completed, 10 of them have been around the world. Considered to be a "floating embassy," the ship's presence in foreign countries and ports contributes considerably to the Spanish foreign policy. Elcano Captain Enrique Torres-Piñeyro of El Ferrol, Galicia, Spain, and crew will sail into Pensacola at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, to help honor the U.S. citizenship of General Bernardo de Galvez, a Revolutionary War hero who won the Battle of Pensacola 234 years ago in May. [sidebar] Juan Sebastian de Elcano will dock at the Port of Pensacola, and free public tours will be offered Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m.to 1 pm., and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, May 31, tours will be available from 3 p.m.-5 p.m (tour dates and times subject to change). [/sidebar] Spanish commander Galvez defeated British troops in the Battle of Pensacola on May 9, 1781, reconquering West Florida for Spain and aiding the 13 American colonies in their quest for independence. Each year, Pensacola, which boasts a large population with connections to Spain, celebrates that victory. In December of 2014, the U.S. Congress conferred honorary citizenship on Galvez, citing him as a hero of the Revolutionary War. The Juan Sebastián de Elcano has visited Pensacola six other times. The first was in 1959 during Pensacola’s 400th Anniversary. Davis, who is also chairman of the Elcano Committee, was responsible for the Elcano’s return to Pensacola five more times in 1981 for the Galvez Celebration, then again in 1984, 1995, 1998 and 2009 for the 450th Anniversary Celebration.

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Elcano sailing to Pensacola to celebrate U.S. citizenship

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