The Galeon Andalucia tall ship has left Great Yarmouth

The Galeon Andalucia fired a cannon in appreciation to those wishing her a fond farewell as she left Great Yarmouth today (June 11).

After being in the town for two weeks, the replica ship - whose design is similar to ships that dominated global waters throughout the 16th to the 18th centuries - is now bound for the Netherlands before returning to British waters later in the week.

The Galeon Andalucia cruising along the River Yare before getting out to the open sea. (Image: Denise Bradley) Hundreds of people waved the tall ship goodbye as she passed along the River Yare and onto the open sea.

Paul Snepp, from Winterton, visited Quay Road to catch a glimpse of the Galeon in action.

"This was definitely something not to be missed," he said.

Paul Snepp (centre), Bella Snepp and their dog, Bonnie, moments after waving the Galeon Andalucia goodbye. (Image: James Weeds) "It's been great seeing it moored on the South Quay and it was clearly very popular for visitors and locals. We get tall ships fairly often, but it's always amazing when they stay a little bit longer so more people can enjoy them.

"It's been lovely to see."

The Galeon Andalucia by Gorleston Pier. (Image: Denise Bradley) For the past two weeks, people in the town got the chance to explore the ship's decks to get a taste of what life was like for sailors during the golden age of maritime adventures.

Ship manager Alvaro Lecaro Guerrero said the warm reception from the thousands of people who visited made the stop "all the more special" for the crew.

"We have been made very welcome in Great Yarmouth, and we would love to come back either with this ship or one of the other three ships in our fleet," he added.

The pilot craft returning after escorting the Galeon Andalucia out to sea. (Image: Denise Bradley) The floating museum was launched in 2009 and has covered 70,000 nautical miles.  She is 162 ft long and 33 ft wide, with 10 cast iron cannons on each side, and her seven sails have a surface area of almost 1,000 square metres.

The Galeon Andalucia on the River Yare. (Image: Denise Bradley) People gathered on Quay Road, Gorleston, to wish the Galeon Andalucia 'bon voyage'. (Image: Denise Bradley)