August 23, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 17 . . Ticketed Tours Available Till Sept. 2 FROM PAGE 16 ed and a gangway was carefully lowered over the side, Murube and his crew welcomed aboard Mayor Rick Meehan, Councilman Doug Cymek and City Manager David Recor, who presented the captain and crew with Maryland and Ocean City official flags. A short time later, the familiar blue and white Ocean City flag was gently wafting over the deck of the huge ship in what little breeze there was in the stifling hot August afternoon. El Galeon Andalucia is an impressive vessel that measures 170 feet in overall length with a beam of 30 feet, which extends to 50 feet when the yardarms are considered. Its main mast soars 120 feet, or around 12 stories, above the deck, while its foremast measures 110 feet and its mizzen mast measures 80 feet. It has six total decks, including the top five that have been carefully restored and appointed to reflect what it would have looked like over 500 years ago when Spanish explorers used similar vessels for the exploration of the New World. The lower decks are reserved for the crew, which numbers around 25 split in two working crews. El Galeon Andalucia came into Ocean City with its sails furled, but it paints a remarkable picture when the sails are unfurled at sea. The sails are largely symbolic as the vessel is now powered by two diesel motors and two propellers with over 750 horsepower. The galleon draws a total of 11 feet, which is why there were some delays in the original arrival plan due to shallow waters at low tide in and around the resort. The original galleons were originally constructed of oak, pine and various hardwoods and the El Galeon Andalucia was recreated with careful attention to detail. The galleons were typically funded and constructed by wealthy businessmen as merchant ships for exploration and trade, but they were often captured by rival nations and pressed into military service. El Galeon Andalucia is outfitted with several gun portals and small cannons, which were rolled out when the vessel docked on Wednesday. Oddly enough, one of the cannons on the east side of the vessel pointed directly at the City Hall dome on Wednesday. El Galeon Andalucia will remain moored at the bulkhead between 3rd and 4th streets until Sept. 2. The first public tours were scheduled to begin yesterday morning at 9 and will continue each day until 6 p.m. through Sept. 2, when it heads back out through the drawbridge and the Inlet to its destinations to the south. Tickets are available on site or at TallShipEvent.com. Are You Ready For Some Football? PREPARE YOURSELF... NFL Sunday Ticket OCEAN CITY Since MARYLAND 1973 WOO WHOO! SNOW CRAB LEGS & CLAWS, CARVED PRIME RIB, RAW OYSTERS AND CLAMS, BBQ RIBS AND CHICKEN, FRESH FISH, STEAMED SHRIMP, FRIED SHRIMP, FOUR HOMEMADE SOUPS, FRESH SUMMER SALADS AND VEGETABLES, HOMEMADE DESSERTS AND SOFT ICE CREAM STATION AND LOTS MORE! PLENTY OF ASSORTED MEAT ITEMS FOR NON-SEAFOOD LOVERS GREAT SPECIALS ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT! 150 Feet Of Delicious Food The Ultimate All-You-Care-To-Eat SEAFOOD & PRIME RIB BUFFET Full a la Carte Menu • Special Selection Of Foods For Your Children, When The Kids Are Happy, So Are The Parents! Over 500 Dining Seats Items Subject To Change CALL AHEAD FOR CARRY-OUT 54 FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 23-24 FROM 3 P.M.-4 P.M. OPEN DAILY AT 11:30 A.M. OPEN FRIDAY & SATURDAY AT 3 P.M. SUNDAY THRU THURSDAY AT 4 P.M. FENWICK ISLAND 302-436-2305 www.Twiningsshanty.com 71st Street & Coastal Highway Ocean City, Md. • 410-524-7171 www.thebonfirerestaurant.com NEWLY EXPANDED WAITING AREA WITH COMFORTABLE SEATS FOR ALL WE TRY OUR BEST TO SEAT PEOPLE PROMPTLY. SUNDAY-THURSDAY, AUG. 25-29 FROM 4 P.M.-5 P.M. EARLY BIRD $5 OFF REGULAR ADULT BUFFET COME SEE THE SHANTY’S TURTLES!