Pascual Flores

Torrevieja, in the province of Alicante, was a favorable site for the exploitation of sea salt in the surrounding lagoons. The salt trade by sea developed in the 19th century towards the ports of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. The sailing fleet of Torrevieja counted up to 200 ships including 64 pailebotes. The name "Pailebote" comes from the English pilot's boat (pilot boat) but it could also be known under the name of schooner (from the French goélette and the Breton gwelan, which means seagull), since both definitions were valid for this same type of boat. Many pailebotes were built by the caulkers of the city's shipyards. The Pascual Flores was one of them and was used to transport fruit, salt and various cargoes. Over the years the sailboat changed owners and underwent numerous structural modifications, before ending its days in England, in the port of Milford.

The city of Torrevieja bought the Pascual Flores, in very poor condition, in 1999 to make it a witness ship of this flourishing period and to become the city's ambassador. With the help of the Nao Victoria Foundation it has been restored to become a floating museum ship.

Arrival date: June 08, 2023