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'Oosterschelde', Tall Ships Belfast 2009

Tall ship 'Oosterschelde' in Belfast Lough as part of the 'Parade of Sail' event to mark the end of the Tall Ships event in Belfast.
'Oosterschelde' is a three-masted topsail schooner originally launched in 1918 and restored to her current condition between 1988 - 1992. Originally a freighter with a capacity of 400 tons, she transported mainly clay, stone and wood, but also herring, bran, potatoes, straw and bananas. In the 1930's a heavier diesel engine was installed and some sail-rigging was removed (including the aft mast). In 1939 she was sold to a Danish shipping company and, rebaptised Fuglen, became one of the most modern ships in the Danish fleet. In 1954 she was sold to a Swede, renamed Sylvan and thoroughly rebuilt to a modern motorised coaster before finally moving back into Dutch hands in 1988 and restored. She is the now the largest restored Dutch freightship and the only remaining Dutch three masted topsail schooner, of which there were hundreds in the early 20th century.
For a variety of other Geograph images taken during the Tall Ships event in Belfast see Link .