Historic Clyde-built Glenlee honoured in new Spanish sailing ship design

A new version of one of last surviving Clyde-built sailing ships could be built as a training vessel for the Spanish Navy which operated her for 60 years.
The Tall Ship Glenlee is Scotland's second most visited historic ship. Picture: John DevlinThe Tall Ship Glenlee is Scotland's second most visited historic ship. Picture: John Devlin
The Tall Ship Glenlee is Scotland's second most visited historic ship. Picture: John Devlin

The proposal by a Spanish naval architect is called Galatea II after the name given to Glenlee while she served in Spain between 1922 and 1982.

Owners of the 124-year-old Glenlee, which is now moored beside the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, said the scheme reflected the affection which Spain had for the ship.

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María Castro Ruiz, of the Technical University of Madrid, unveiled the plans from her master’s thesis at the Royal Institution of Naval Architects’ historic ships online conference 2020.

Maria Castro Ruiz came up with the idea for Galatea IIMaria Castro Ruiz came up with the idea for Galatea II
Maria Castro Ruiz came up with the idea for Galatea II

She said: “As a tribute to the extensive and remarkable history of this ship, to preserve the naval tradition in Spain, it has been proposed to design a ship with the same morphology as the Glenlee to stoke the spirit of the Galatea and inspire the construction of new sailing ships.

“She will be adapted as a military training ship of the Spanish Navy.

"Therefore, studies in stability, propulsion, general arrangement and structural calculations will be necessary to validate the transformation of the Glenlee into a new Galatea II, complying with mandatory regulations and technological advances that will encourage its operation to the future naval officers of the Spanish Navy.”

Glenlee was built in Port Glasgow in 1896 and is one of only five Clyde-built steel-hulled cargo sailing ships afloat.

Glenlee, during her Spanish service as Galatea, off Palma. Picture: Clyde Maritime TrustGlenlee, during her Spanish service as Galatea, off Palma. Picture: Clyde Maritime Trust
Glenlee, during her Spanish service as Galatea, off Palma. Picture: Clyde Maritime Trust

The three-masted barque, now known as the Tall Ship Glenlee, is Scotland’s second most visited historic ship after the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith.

Owners the Clyde Maritime Trust, which rescued the ship from dereliction in 1992, said the Galatea II could even replace the Spanish Navy’s current sail training ship and flagship.

Maritime historian and trustee Elizabeth Allen said: “Galatea II is a magnificent idea for a modern sail training vessel for the Spanish Navy as it evokes the strong emotional and historic connections the vessel holds.

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"It has many advantages, even in our technological age, which is now readjusting to greater use of natural and renewable sources of power.

Maria Castro Ruiz said her scheme was a "tribute to the remarkable history of this ship"Maria Castro Ruiz said her scheme was a "tribute to the remarkable history of this ship"
Maria Castro Ruiz said her scheme was a "tribute to the remarkable history of this ship"

"A new Spanish flagship may be required if the current naval sail training ship, Juan Sebastian Elcano, is to be retired when she becomes 100 years old in 2025.

"Sailing in such a ship requires skills, teamwork, adaptability, and working with the tides and the elements, while the advantages of a splendid flagship raises the national profile while attending events around the world.

"Galatea was held in very high regard by the inhabitants of Ferrol, her naval home port in north west Spain.

"The ship is a model for a new vessel because she is also very dear to the hearts of all those young Spanish seamen who sailed in her as a cadet: climbing the rigging to set and hand sails, steering, keeping watch, carrying out drills and seamanship skills and scrubbing the decks.

Maritime historian Elizabeth Allen said many retired Spanish naval seaman had travelled to Glasgow to see the ship again. Picture: Tom FinnieMaritime historian Elizabeth Allen said many retired Spanish naval seaman had travelled to Glasgow to see the ship again. Picture: Tom Finnie
Maritime historian Elizabeth Allen said many retired Spanish naval seaman had travelled to Glasgow to see the ship again. Picture: Tom Finnie

“Many still deeply regret their beloved Galatea could not be retained and preserved in Spain and many, even in old age, have travelled to Glasgow to tread on the decks one more time.

“She is a continuing testament to the maritime endeavours of both Britain and Spain.

"A Galatea II, attuned to modern demands, would continue that fine example.”

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Rodrigo Pérez Fernández, a professor in the university’s marine engineering school, said: “This project is born from the magic that surrounds the Glenlee when it served as a training ship in Spain, named as Galatea then.

"As in most naval environments, the essence of this ship has been transmitted generation after generation, from fathers to sons.

"It is a very important historical symbol in the north of Spain, in the Galician region due to the location of the naval dockyards and the Spanish military schools.

“As people belonging to this naval sector in Spain, we learned about the history of the Galatea, in my case due to my close relationship with BAE Systems, and María, when she began her studies, since before it was a totally unknown ship for us.

"Our university's rugby team, after winning a match, began to sing the hymn of Galatea, a popular seafaring song.

"It is an anthem that since then accompanies us, both naval students who love this sport and all those who have been part of it at some point.

“Therefore, we realised that this ship, so mysterious and unknown to many, was opening a gap in our knowledge.

"Later we realised that it was actually a very important ship for sailors, soldiers and many people who lived next to the Galatea in the port.

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“Therefore, as a final master degree project, we wanted to contribute something to our university that was not a typical ship.

"We wanted to remember the valuable history of such ships as the Galatea, which are the forerunners of the most modern ships, and which today are still present in maritime society as training ships.

"This project therefore aims to provide a new tall ship design for the Spanish Navy, which complies with current regulations and standards, and which serves as a tribute to the great tall ships that for generation after generation is preserved in the memory of those who lived this ship in person or through family members.

"That is why the project will have to modify several aspects of the tall ship, since today it would not comply with current regulations.

"The Galatea II will be an optimised version of the original Glenlee.”

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