NLMagazine/Rotterdam, Sailingaroundtheworld - On Thursday 31 July, the historic Dutch three-masted schooner 'Oosterschelde' will return to its home port of Rotterdam, after an impressive two-year voyage around the world in which more than 47,000 nautical miles were covered – a distance of more than twice around the world. The ship departed in August 2023 for the Darwin200 Global Voyage, an international nature expedition aimed at young people.
The trip was inspired by the legendary world trip of the then only 23-year-old Charles Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle.
During the world trip, the 'Oosterschelde' visited four continents and visited iconic world cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Sydney and Cape Town as well as remote and special areas such as the Falkland Islands, the Galapagos Islands, Easter Island, French Polynesia, Pitcairn, Saint Helena and Ascension Island. On the way, the ship again rounded the infamous Cape Horn. In every port, young, talented scientists from all over the world came together on board to conduct nature research with local conservationists.
The 'Oosterschelde' is currently on its way to Falmouth, the British coastal town where Charles Darwin completed his journey with the HMS Beagle at the time. Afterwards, the ship will make a symbolic 'Victory Lap' to London, where His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, will visit the 'Oosterschelde'. Then the ship sets sail for Rotterdam, where the world trip officially comes to an end.
Festive entry into Rotterdam
The 'Oosterschelde' will be festively welcomed on Thursday 31 July. From Maassluis, the ship will be accompanied on the river by a fleet of historic vessels during a Heritage Parade. Together, the ships will sail to Rotterdam, where the 'Oosterschelde' will moor in the Veerhaven. The Heritage Parade is an initiative of the Maritime Museum Rotterdam, the Rotterdam Heritage Ports Foundation, the National Association for the Preservation of the Historic Business Sailing Time (LVBHB) and Shipping Company Oosterschelde. Everyone is cordially invited to join the Heritage Parade with their ship.
Darwin200 Global Voyage: More than a trip around the world
The Darwin200 Global Voyage 2023 – 2025 is an initiative of British biologist and writer Stewart McPherson. The route is inspired by the historic world trip of the then only 23-year-old Charles Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle. In every port, young, talented scientists – the so-called Darwin Leaders – came together on board to conduct nature research with local NGOs. The Darwin Leaders make reports and videos of their work. Darwin200 disseminates these to relevant media and research institutes – in the hope that the work of the young scientists will be widely disseminated and can serve as a springboard for their upcoming careers in the natural sciences. In total, more than 106 Darwin Leaders from 45 different countries participated in the project. Researchers also signed on during the sailing trips between the ports.
The Darwin200 Global Voyage started in Plymouth, UK, and took the 'Oosterschelde' to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Easter Island, Pitcairn, French Polynesia, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Saint Helena, Ascension Island and the Azores. Along the way, the infamous Cape Horn was also rounded.
The Darwin200 project is supported by ambassadors Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Sylvia Earle and Dr. Sarah Darwin and has been noticed in the international press. CNN, the Times, the BBC, the Guardian, but also smaller media such as Forbes Mexico, the Cook Island Times and many, many others, paid attention to this special voyage of this now famous sailing ship.
About the 'Oosterschelde'
The three-masted topsail schooner 'Oosterschelde' is one of the last remaining historic sailing ships in the Netherlands. Between 1988 and 1992 the ship was restored and put into service as a sailing passenger ship. The 'Oosterschelde' was recognized as a sailing monument of great cultural-historical value. Since the restoration, the 'Oosterschelde' has been making sailing trips with guests all over the world. The ship visited more than 65 countries and all continents, including Antarctica. The Darwin200 Global Voyage is the third world voyage of the 'Oosterschelde' and the longest voyage in its history. Now that this world trip is over, everyone can sail along with the trips that the 'Oosterschelde' makes. The ship will be on display at Sail Amsterdam and at the World Port Days this summer.
Reederij 'Oosterschelde' and Darwin200 are both idealistic non-profit organizations.
