Tall Ships are the wonder of Woolwich

Hardly a soul was to be seen around Woolwich pier late Friday afternoon, just hours before the start of the Olympics. But gathered here was a wonderful collection of tall ships, ready to take passengers upriver – in an hour's time 700 people would arrive for the trip, to climb aboard and sail away to watch the Olympic fireworks from the river.
One reason few people came to see these beautiful vessels was that the police had told the organisers not to publicise their existence, as they didn't have sufficient man-power to deal with the crowds. This lack of information has been a hallmark of the Olympics. But lest anybody be concerned about their safety when admiring these ships, they would have been reassured at the sight of the Royal Marines, tearing around in a couple of boats armed with cannon. There was even a landing craft moored near the Woolwich Ferry.

Above left: Morgenster (Morning Star) a Dutch brig launched in 1919 and re-built in 2008. Below left: Oosterschelde, a three-masted topsail Dutch schooner built 1919 and restored in 1992, and Wylde Swan, a 1920s steam trawler bought in 2001 by Willem Sligting of Amsterdam and fitted out as a two-masted schooner. Below right: the brigantine Lady of Avenel, built in 1969 and based in Suffolk. Bottom. Thalassa, a Dutch barque moored at the pier.

During the Olympics the ships are offering two-hour round trips to Greenwich for £50. Tickets are booked through Sail Royal Greenwich.