![\"LtoR...Midshipman](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2_BAP-Union-a-Peruvian-Navy-Tall-Ship-on-the-Liverpool-waterfront-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\")
(Left to right) Midshipman Francesco Tragodara, Jeremiah Sutcliffe, Lieutenant Junior Grade and Midshipman Jorge Mimbela.(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\nThe ECHO was given a tour of the ship which is open to the public(Left to right) Midshipman Francesco Tragodara, Jeremiah Sutcliffe, Lieutenant Junior Grade and Midshipman Jorge Mimbela.(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n
Thousands of people have been flocking to Liverpool\u2019s docks to see one of the world\u2019s biggest tall ships<\/a>. Here to celebrate Peru\u2019s links with Wirral<\/a>, the ECHO<\/a> were given a tour of the The B.A.P. Uni\u00f3n before it heads back out to sea.<\/p>\n The B.A.P. Uni\u00f3n, the second-largest tall ship in the world<\/a>, is a Peruvian navy sailing training ship<\/a> currently on a tour of the Americas and Europe from May to November. Now moored up at Pier Head in Liverpool, it\u2019s stopped off in the USA, London, Aberdeen, Denmark, Germany and Amsterdam and will soon cross the Irish Sea to Dublin.<\/p>\n Setting sail from Peru nine years ago, the ship is here as part of a celebration of Merseyside, and in particular, Wirral\u2019s links with the South American country.<\/a> Peruvian hero Grand Admiral Grau\u2019s ship the Huascar was built at Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead and launched in 1866.<\/p>\n At 54 metres tall, it\u2019s dominated the views from Pier Head during its stay and the ship has welcomed around 2,000 visitors so far. People from Peru also came to the docks on Sunday to welcome the tall ship which is the biggest in America.<\/p>\n The ship serves two purposes \u2013 firstly, as an ambassador for Peru visiting countries to forge stronger links with other countries and celebrate their ties, and secondly to train new sailors on the skills needed to cross the ocean.<\/p>\n Behind the ship\u2019s bridge, the ECHO<\/a> were shown how it navigates from the radar that can pick up ships up to 30 miles away. Despite only being a short distance from the docks, the water in the Mersey was about eight metres deep.<\/p>\n Manning a ship the size of the B.A.P. is not easy, with lots of crew needed to operate the ship\u2019s massive sails particularly during rough conditions. Lieutenant Junior Grade Jeremiuah Sutcliffe, who oversees part of the ship\u2019s deck and one mast, said: \u201cOur main purpose is do not sink and do not crash the ship.\u201d<\/p>\n Down below, one corridor was covered in plaques from all of the places the ship has visited since its first tour in 2016 and there are wardrooms where the 217-strong crew can eat and relax when they\u2019re not working. There is also a medical room, a chapel with a priest, kitchens, and even a bakery run by trained chefs.<\/p>\n Upstairs, various things that come from Peru, from chocolate to alpaca wool, are showcased to visitors. Two cannons can also be seen which Lt Sutcliffe said was leftover from a tradition that when ships enter a port, they fire their cannons to show they come in peace and do not have any ammunition.<\/p>\n Midshipman Francesco Tragodara told the ECHO:<\/a> \u201cI didn\u2019t really know too much but the city really surprised me,\u201d adding: \u201cWhen I loved most is the city has a lot of history. I think the music here is like a religion.\u201d<\/p>\n While here, sailors have been taken to visit local museums such as the Western Approaches WWII museum and the Beatles as well as the Bombed Out Church, Anfield<\/a> Stadium, and Cammell Laird shipyard.<\/p>\n Gina Gutierrez is originally from Peru but now lives and works in Liverpool. On the ship, she said: \u201cIt\u2019s incredible how I am living here in Liverpool, my dad used to sing Penny Lane when he was cleaning up the house and now I am living here.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing. Today we feel like we are in Peru. When we saw the ship, my friend nearly cried. She was like \u201cI am a bit emotional in my head when I saw it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou feel the energy. My dad was from Peru, he came here on a submarine. He was in the navy and when I said I am living in Liverpool, he said \u201coh my god England is a proper place.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_BAP-Union-a-Peruvian-Navy-Tall-Ship-on-the-Liverpool-waterfront-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\")
The view from the ship’s bridge(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n![\"Dancers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1756840575_518_0_BAP-Union-a-Peruvian-Navy-Tall-Ship-on-the-Liverpool-waterfront-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\")
Dancers celebrating Peruvian culture on board(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n![\"B.A.P](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1756840576_967_0_BAP-Union-a-Peruvian-Navy-Tall-Ship-on-the-Liverpool-waterfront-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\")
B.A.P Union a Peruvian Navy Tall Ship pictured Gina & Perez Gutierrez who live in Liverpool.(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1756840577_733_0_BAP-Union-a-Peruvian-Navy-Tall-Ship-on-the-Liverpool-waterfront-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\")
A portrait of Grand Admiral Grau whose ship was built in Birkenhead(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n