The Falmouth Tallships Association is gearing up to welcome the beautiful Russian four-masted barque Kruzenshtern to Falmouth later this month when she pays a four day visit to the town starting on July 18. The public will be given a unique opportunity of seeing one of the world's finest tallships, and a survivor from the Cape Horners and Australian Grain Race era, when she berths on County wharf. During her stay Kruzenshtern will be open to the public.

Kruzenshtern launched as the Padua in 1926 for Ferdinand Laeisz in Hamburg was the last of the Flying P's designed for the Chilean Nitrate trade. On her maiden voyage she covered the distance from Hamburg to Chile in 87 days. Later she transferred to the Australian Grain Race trade where she accomplished a voyage from Hamburg to Port Lincoln in 67 days. She broke the company's record in 1935 for covering 351 miles in one day and 3,123 miles in 11 days. In 1930 when rounding the Horn in severe weather conditions tragedy struck when four crew members were washed overboard.

The 3,000 ton sailing ship has been controlled by the Navy working under the Ministries of Fisheries since 1965. She was first seen in the Tall Ships Races in 1974 when she won her class. Since then this splendid ship from the bygone era of the Grain Races has become a firm favourite with lovers of Tall Ships.