On 19 May, the Swedish Ship G�theborg, a full-scale replica of the historic 18th Century East Indiaman merchant vessel of the same name, will sail into London on the final leg of her two-year voyage recreating the old East India trading routes. She is a replica of a ship that sank outside Gothenburg in 1745 returning from London. (It�s speculated she was wrecked as an insurance scam.)

A large celebration, including the King and Queen of Sweden, will be held. The ship will stay in London for two weeks, and will be open to the public during this time.

We have the opportunity for a few journalists to sail on the G�theborg from Gibraltar to London. The ship is equipped with modern media facilities and a journalist can file stories, images and film from her as she sails. She departs Gibraltar for London on 2 May. The trip will enable the journalist to work on and get under the skin of what life was like on an 18th Century trade vessel, on the trade routes that helped build both British and Swedish wealth.

The ship is crewed by a team of 80. A 50/50 split between men and women � earning the ship the nickname �the love boat�, due to the number of marriages between crew members. The crew is from all nationalities, volunteering to take part for all or some of the two year voyage. A number are British.

I realise time is short and you will require more details. However, we ourselves have just been appointed, and I am keen to find interested journalists for the voyage. Below is slightly fuller information on her arrival in London and her ancient namesake that sank just off the Swedish coast, returning from London, over 250 years ago.

This is an amazing opportunity, I hope you�re interested!

I would need to know your thoughts in the next couple of days.

Very best,

Will

-Ends-

Will Kallaway Tel: 020 7221 7883 Email: William@kallaway.co.uk Web: www.kallaway.co.uk

Time Travelling Swedish Ship Sails Into London With Canons Firing

- 18th Century Swedish Ship G�theborg Arrives in London - - King and Queen of Sweden Visit - - Unique Visitor Attraction: Opportunity To Look Round Working Replica -

The Swedish Ship G�theborg, a full-scale replica of the historic 18th Century East Indiaman merchant vessel of the same name, will sail into London on May 19 on the final leg of her two-year voyage recreating the old East India trading routes. She will arrive in London to huge celebration. Highlights are:

Sail up the Thames, firing her cannon to salute London. HMS Belfast will fire a salute in return. Berth outside the GLA, celebrations and entertainment on riverside. Tower Bridge will open for her sail to West Quay, London Docklands

The King and Queen of Sweden will visit on 20 May.

Will be open to the public with guided tours, seminars and events provided.

She leaves London on 2 June with celebrations and public involvement.

The original G�theborg sank on 12 September, 1745 � travelling back from London � floundering on rocks outside the entrance to Gothenburg port. The ship had been at sea for two years and was returning with highly valued cargo. All the crew survived, picked up by the flotilla of small boats that sailed to greet the G�theborg. The cargo was never salvaged and it speculated the ship was deliberately wrecked as an insurance fraud. Marine archaeological excavations of the wreck took place from 1986 to 1992. The findings and salvaged remnants of the ship were used to guide her recreation. Work began to recreate her in 2002, using traditional materials and craftsmanship employed during the 18th Century. The recreation took ten years, using over 50km of planks, 70,000 hand forged nails, 10,000 bolts, 2,000m2 of sail, 1,000 rigging blocks and 10 cast iron cannons. She set sail on 2 October 2005 on a voyage to China, following the traditional trade routes and acting as an ambassador of Swedish culture, trade and enterprise.

End

More detailed press information will be issued in due course. Contact William Kallaway at Kallaway � 020 7221 7883 or william@kallaway.co.uk to join the mailing list.