Shanghai women are more active in the response to a recruitment memo sent out from the Gotheborg, a replica of a Swedish vessel which sank mysteriously 260 years ago during its trip back from China, Youth Daily said today.

The vessel is seeking two Shanghai residents as intern sailors to participate in its last voyage this year in China from Guangzhou to Shanghai, said the organizer of the recruitment.

Gotheborg, a replica of a Swedish vessel which sank

mysteriously 260 years ago. Photo Source: airgz.cn

The memo immediately attracted more than 50 applicants on the first day of recruitment yesterday, among which 30 were female, said the report.

"Shanghai women are brave and willing to face challenges," said one official from the media center of the event in China. "One female applicant will be given the opportunity this time."

The two intern sailors will board in Guangzhou first, and then spend around 15 days on the vessel during its voyage to Shanghai, said the report.

"As it's now China's typhoon season, we'd like to find someone strong, both in physical and psychological status," said the official.

The deadline of the recruitment is August 9.

The Gotheborg is a symbol of friendship between China and Sweden. The original cargo vessel sank just offshore of her home 260 years ago, taking its precious cargo of Chinese porcelain, silk and tea to the bottom of the sea.

Sweden spent 10 years and US$43 million to build the replica.

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife, together with a trade delegation, arrived in Guangzhou last month on the Gotheborg to begin their 5-day visit of China.

The Gotheborg is also expected to anchor in Shanghai on August 29, and will be greeted by a two-month cultural festival along the Bund, featuring everything from a marine history museum to the retelling of beloved Swedish folktales.

The ship began its voyage on October 2 to commemorate the friendship between Sweden and China.

(Shanghai Daily August 4, 2006)