Dutch sailing clipper the Albatros was greeted by scores of admirers as she sailed into her home port. 

The ship docked at the quayside in Wells-next-the-Sea on Thursday evening after a three-year restoration in Essex. 

Fakenham & Wells Times: The Albatros docked safely back in Wells on July 20, with dozens of people coming down to the quayside to welcome her back to the townThe Albatros docked safely back in Wells on July 20, with dozens of people coming down to the quayside to welcome her back to the town (Image: Mark Frary)

She was guided into the harbour at around 9.30pm by Robert Smith, Wells harbourmaster, and his team.

Bob 'Rob' Richardson bought the ship - which is used as a floating restaurant with overnight accommodation - from former captain, Ton Brouwer, and sought to make her ship shape. 

Fakenham & Wells Times: The Albatros was back safely at Wells Quayside on July 20The Albatros was back safely at Wells Quayside on July 20 (Image: Mark Frary)

It took her 32 hours to travel from Essex to Wells, where she hasn't been seen since 2020.

Mr Smith said: “The Albatros has become part of Wells history and it is great to see her back and moored at the Quayside.  

“It was amazing to see so many people waiting to greet her at the Quayside, which shows how popular the Albatros is within the community and visitors to the town.”

Fakenham & Wells Times: The Albatros docked safely back in Wells QuaysideThe Albatros docked safely back in Wells Quayside (Image: Bryn Ditheridge Photography)

As well as those who went to the quayside to watch the Albatros take her old place, scores of others viewed the arrival on Port of Wells’ webcam. 

Some commented where they were as they took in the special moment -with Leicestershire, Gloucestershire, and Texas being among the locations named. 

Mark Frary, a Wells farmer who went out to welcome the ship back to the town and capture images with his drone, said: “It's great to have this iconic ship back in town.

"There was lots of cheering going on and crowds of people were everywhere. I believe there’s still some more work to be done on her.”

Fakenham & Wells Times: The Albatros, a Dutch sailing Klipper, is finally home as it returned to Wells-next-the-SeaThe Albatros, a Dutch sailing Klipper, is finally home as it returned to Wells-next-the-Sea (Image: Bryn Ditheridge Photography)

The Albatros was built in 1899 near Rotterdam and ferried cargo around Europe for almost a century. 

During the Second World War her brave crew used the ship to smuggle Jewish refugees and political dissidents out of Denmark and return with weapons for resistance fighters.