'Dewaruci' docks in Sorong

SORONG, Irian Jaya: Dance performances welcomed Navy tall ship KRI Dewaruci, which arrived on Tuesday on an around-the-globe journey.

Shortly after the training ship disembarked at Sorong Port, local dancers performed the Nani Bile dance for the 77 Navy cadets on board. The cadets responded with the Irianese dance Sajojo, which they will perform in an international ship festival in California in July.

Among the notable figures at the port were commander of warship KRI Jayawijaya Maj. Zulkamaizar, local naval chief Maj. Rudy Bangkinas Z, military chief Lt. Col. Aceng Maryana and chief of the prosecutor's office Binuri Sahad.

KRI Dewaruci commander Maj. Darwanto told Antara the ship sailed around the world 28 times since its launching in January 1953. It was built by H.C. Stulchen & Sohn in Hamburg, Germany, and took from July to October to reach Indonesia from the then West Germany on its maiden voyage. Lt. A.E.H. Roosenow captained the first trip.

The ship was designated as English 17th century vessel Newcastle in Anna and the King, a new film starring Jodie Foster, when it stopped in Penang, Malaysia, last month.

KRI Dewaruci embarked on its four-month trip on April 19, 1999, from the Surabaya naval base.