Two ships currently in St Katherine Docks are part of the summer of intriguing vessels to visit and sail on the River Thames.
Phoenicia, a replica Phoenician ship (above left), is moored here for the duration. It has sailed around Africa, following the route taken by Phoenician traders in 600BC. Details are on her website. £6 to visit.
Huantian (above right) is a 27-metre replica of a 15th-century Chinese junk, built 40 years ago. Sailing up and down the river she will be used as a floating studio for Chinese TV companies to interview Chinese athletes during the Olympics. She was meant to turn up for the Jubilee fanfare, but she was being transported on a cargo ship that was held up in the Suez Canal. She will be sailing back to China under her own power. The sails, on vast bamboo booms, allow her to manoeuvre through 360 degrees. A crew of two can manage her, but generally she has four. Just ask to have a look around.
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