DELIGHTED crowds of onlookers flocked to the port of Barrow over the weekend for a rare chance to see and board some historic sailing vessels.
Buccleuch Dock on the quayside of Barrow was the venue for the Tall Ships Visit, which took place on Saturday August 6, and Sunday, August 7.
Enthusiasts and families alike came to the town from all over the north west to see the Pelican of London and La Malouine, two large-rigged sailing vessels.
Visitors also got the chance to see the 110-year-old Hearts of Oak, an Ulverston-built Morecambe Bay 'prawner', which was restored and made sea-worthy in 2008 by the Hearts of Oak Boat Trust.
READ MORE: Tall Ships to arrive in Barrow ahead of festival
Beth Hedley made the journey from Fleetwood with her two young boys to see the Tall Ships:
"They're absolutely boat mad.
"It's taken us about three hours to get here but it's worth it - they haven't stopped talking about it all week.
"They're loving being able to get on the boats and play with the wheel, look out the portholes, and climb up and down the decks."
Entry was free, and visitors were given wristbands on arrival, so that organisers could safely monitor numbers on the ships at any one time.
The Pelican of London was built in 1948 as Pelican, where she served as an Arctic trawler and a coastal trading vessel named Kadett until 1995.
She was turned into a sail-training vessel in 2007 for young people, youth development charity Seas Your Future.
La Malouine began life as Willem in 1968-9 in Gdansk, Poland, and was converted to a brigantine in 1992 and sailed guests across the Baltic Sea.
In 2010 she was sold and renamed La Malouine.
Organiser David Cooksey, who officially opened the event at 11 am on Saturday, said:
"We are coming out of the times that we have been through over the past few years and we are looking to inspire children.
"It is not just entertainment but also an education.
"It will be something to remember and it will be great for the town."
David is already planning for 2023 to make 'a larger sea festival' that fills out the entire harbour.
READ MORE: New three-day beer festival comes to town this autumn
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