ARC Gloria, Colombian Navy's Flagship visits Norfolk

Photo By Max Lonzanida | Museum Educator, Joseph Miechle of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum (left) enjoys a rare pre-public guided tour of the ARC Gloria from one of their embarked midshipmen. Note: Images submitted to DVIDS (Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) are available for the public to download and utilize without cost. If this image appears on a commercial site that charges a fee to download, you can avert this by going to www.Dvidshub.net, and search for the associated image under our command, Naval History & Heritage Command, where the high resolution image is available without cost. (US Navy Photo by Civilian Public Affairs Officer Max Lonzanida/Released)  

CATEGENA, COLOMBIA

09.21.2018

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

The Colombian Navy’s Flagship, the ARC Gloria moored pier side at Downtown Norfolk’s Waterside District on Monday, September 17, 2018. Awaiting the majestic three masted sailing barque were dignitaries from the City of Norfolk, members of the Colombian Embassy and of course an eager crowd waiting to get a glimpse of the vessel. As the vessel docked amid cloudy and overcast skies, its roughly 150 crew members manned the rails from top to bottom in glistening dress white uniforms. On the pier were two ranks of sailors from the USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) who served as line handlers during the ships docking. Public tours of the ship were scheduled to commence later in the week, but staff members of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum were able to tour the ship beforehand.

This article contains several images of a guided tour, which can be accessed by scrolling or swiping on your mobile device down to the gallery section of the article.

The ARC Gloria (ARC is an acronym for Armada de la Republica de Colombia) is a training ship and the flagship of the Colombian Navy. She is 64.7 meters long and is crewed by over 150 crewmembers; the majority of whom are cadets learning astronomical navigation, coastal navigation, and seamanship. These skills are essential for cadets to learn prior to entering the Colombian National Navy. On this particular cruise, the ship's complement was augmented by an embarked crew of 51 women midshipmen; the first time in the history of the ship that so many women were working towards becoming Naval Officer. The three masted sailing barque was commissioned in September 1968, and has been in service with the Colombian Navy for over 52 years. During the ship’s career, she has called on over 180 ports in 70 different countries. This is the ship’s only US port of call in its 2018 sailing season. This port of call was sponsored by Norfolk Festevents, which is the City of Norfolk’s event marketing agency.

Museum Educator Joseph Miechle and Public Affairs Officer Max Lonzanida were welcomed aboard for a pre-public tour. Before boarding, a warm welcome was provided by midshipmen at the ships gangway. After a quick check in, the excitement started by walking across an immensely shiny wooden gangway to the ship. Once aboard, and in keeping with the proud naval tradition, a salute was rendered to both visitors by the officer of the deck; which was smartly returned by both staff members. Upbeat music was playing through the ships loudspeakers, which gave the ships deck a relaxed and almost festive atmosphere. After a return salute was returned, they met their tour guide, Midshipmen Saldada. Saldada was in her fourth year at the Colombian Naval Academy, and was looking forward to being commissioned as an officer next year. She also thanked them for coming aboard, and conveyed a welcome extended from the ship’s Duty Officer, Lieutenant Andres Rodriguez and the ship’s Executive Officer, Juan Sierra. The tour itself was coordinated by Captain Orlando A. Cubillos-Chacon, the Colombian Embassy’s Naval Attache.

Both staff members followed Saldada to the forecastle; and again in keeping with naval tradition, there were a few off duty midshipmen congregating in this area amid a glistening deck of polished wood. Saldada pointed out that the ship visited several locations, and she talked about the rich heritage of the ship. She also pointed out that she had the wonderful and exciting opportunity to tour the decks of the USCGC Eagle, a similar three masted ship used to train future officers of the US Coast Guard. She pointed out the wheelhouse from the forecastle, and indicated that her fellow midshipmen use the area for meriendas (snack time), and she advised that yes, they do indeed drink plenty of freshly ground Colombian Coffee; also in keeping with naval tradition. Miechle asked about washing coffee mugs and the concept of seasoning mugs after months of dark coffee; Saldada smiled, and said she prefers to wash her coffee, and many of her fellow midshipmen have seasoned coffee cups.

The tour proceeded amidships and indoors, where Saldada pointed out a wall full of cruise plaques that the ARC Gloria completed since 1968. She also pointed out pictures of senior officers within the Colombian Navy, and pictures of elected officials; all of which were in ornately decorated frames. She led them below decks, to a common open area. She pointed out that this common space, again with an ornately shiny wooden deck, was used for sleeping, as a classroom, for gatherings, and in this instance; it served as a panel exhibit that depicted the many attractions that Colombia had to offer. On thick backed vinyl, panels depicted major cities in Colombia, such as Medellin, Bogota, and Cali. She pointed out cultural nuances in each city, her country’s affection for Futbol (or soccer as we aptly call it), regional culinary specialties, tourist attractions, and well known Colombians. She was keen to point some information about Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a renowned author best known for the genre of Magic Realism; which uses descriptive writing to portray a realistic view of the world that is brought to life, seemingly by magic.

The tour again went topside by following Saldada to the ship’s wheelhouse. On the way up a narrow ladder, that oddly enough resembled something leading up to an attic, Saldada pointed out the numerous times she has hit her head or bruised her knees and shins and kindly cautioned both staff members of the dangers. In this space, she pointed out the navigation equipment, radios, GPS equipment, weather radar and the captains seat. She smiled and said that she hopes to sit in the captain’s seat in charge of a ship in her future career as a Naval Officer. Both followed Saldada below and aft of the ship to the fantail. Saldada pointed out the awning, and that the ornately shiny wooden deck on the fantail was used as a common space and military ceremonies. She pointed out that tonight, the ship was hosting a cocktail hour and evening party. Saldada walked both staff members forward to the gangway, and expressed her gratitude for the visit; both staff members warmly wished her and the crew fair winds and following seas in their future careers as a Naval Officers.

About the Museum:

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S. Navy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and is co-located with Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Admission to the museum is free, simply by-pass the ticket line and take the stairs or elevator to the museum on the second deck. The museum hosts a robust educational program for area schools and commands, with free educational programs to area schools aligned with state curriculum standards, a travelling sea chest program, a premier Lego outreach program, and historical presentations for area commands. To inquire, contact their Educational Director, Laura Orr at [e-mail] or at [phone]. The museum is also host to a robust volunteer corps, who serve as docents, support special events, and assist in museum archives. To inquire, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Darcy Sink at [e-mail] or at [phone]. Lastly the museum proudly hosts military ceremonies, such as re-enlistments, retirements, and promotions for area commands aboard the U.S.S Wisconsin and in the museum’s gallery. To inquire, contact their special events coordinator, Tom Dandes at [e-mail] or call [phone].

• Date Taken: 09.21.2018
• Date Posted: 09.21.2018 12:05
• Story ID: 293935
• Location: CATEGENA, CO