Dandelion 60

 

Tsar Peter the Great's Shtandart adds to the otherwordly air, of the La Rochelle waterfront. Her lines slavic, unfamiliar and three hundred years old. Faithfully recreated, with the aid of contemporary paintings, in 1988. By the frigate's skipper, Vladimir Martus.

  At her ornate stern, runic, cyrillic script, boldly proclaims her name and home port: St Petersburg. The city's coat of arms rampant above.

At her prow, an heraldic lion leaps toward an approaching foe, jaws agape. Saintly figures, worthy of a mediaeval cathedral, (here I'm guessing) bless her with good fortune, in battle.

Hailing from the eighteen hundreds, Belem's lines were lofted two centuries later, in France. Her high clipper bow adrip, with gilded gingerbread work.

Belem’s opulent atire reflects the worth of the cargoes, which she bore home to Nantes. From plantations in the West Indies, Brazil and French Guiana. Luxuries for the wealthy: sugar, cocoa and coffee.

Meanwhile, the crew of local boat, Notre Dame Des Flots, have a treat in store. For we in the milling crowd.

Striking up, on ukeles, to accompany their singing of traditional French shanties. In impromptu unison, with a delighted shoreside audience.

Dedication

With thanks to Steve (see Comments, Dandelion 57) and his encyclopedic memory.