Sailing Ship Santa Maria Visits London

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On Wednesday 28th May 2025, the sailing ship Santa Maria passed through Tower Bridge twice before entering St. Katherine Docks for a few days.

NAO Santa Maria is a replica of the ship which Christopher Columbus voyaged when he discovered the New (to him) World – America.

Seen beam on, the relatively small size of NAO Santa Maria can be appreciated, remembering this is an ocean going ship designed to sail across the Atlantic.
Big crowds were on Tower Bridge to watch the Santa Maria sailing ship.
The replica sailing ship waited for thirty minutes after passing upstream through Tower Bridge before the bascules were raised for a second time so the ship could sail downstream.
At times the river was very busy with freight and passenger traffic with the replica of Christopher Columbus’ sailing ship in the middle of the melee.
Then, a few minutes later, the river was quiet with the replica Santa Maria and her escorts having the river to themselves.
Having passed through Tower Bridge, the sailing ship Santa Maria waited to return downstream through Tower Bridge. The ship was held in the centre of the river into the incoming tide.
Passing back through Tower Bridge, the sailing ship Santa Maria turned to Port (left) to enter St. Katherine Docks for a few days.
Tower Bridge closed behind the replica sailing ship as it reached the end of its voyage to London.

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