The Sørlandet, one of Norway's oldest tall ships, was out on the Detroit River Wednesday, just one day after the Lions cut Norwegian placekicker Havard 'Kickalicious' Rugland. Have they come to rescue their national hero/YouTube sensation?
Well, probably not. The Sørlandet is scheduled to dock across the border this week for Windsor's Tall Ships festival. The ship will host a poetry reading Saturday night featuring Windsor's poet Laureate Marty Gervais. According to Windsor's Coastal Trails website, the event with offer "delicious hor d'oeurves and locally created wine."
The Sørlandet has had a colorful history since it was built in 1927 and originally used as a schoolship. During World War II she was taken by the Germans, who used the Sørlandet to provide U-Boat crews with some rest and recreation. She also held Russian prisoners and was sunk in battle. After being recovered, the ship was restored in 1947 and resumed its educational mission until the 1970s.
The Sørlandet is the oldest full-rigged ship still in operation anywhere in the world.
