Maritime history was made at Canary Wharf this week as 20 Tall Ships berthed among the tall buildings.

East London Advertiser: One of the sailing rigs at Canary WharfOne of the sailing rigs at Canary Wharf (Image: Archant)

The ships were open to the public for three days until yesterday, ready to set sail again today for a grand procession on the Thames.

The 20 vessels join 34 other Tall Ships on the waterfront at Greenwich this-morning to mark the end of the Royal Greenwich Regatta.

East London Advertiser: Days of sail... at the heart of Canary WharfDays of sail... at the heart of Canary Wharf (Image: Archant)

They are due to set sail down river in a grand prosession of 45 Tall Ships sounding their horns as a farewell to London after the Falmouth-to-Greenwich race.

They are due to pass the 02 and the Royal Docks as they head down to the Thames Estuary.

Camille Waxer, from Canary Wharf Group, said: “Hosting 20 impressive tall ships was the first time we’ve so many moored here.”

It was London’s first regatta for 25 years, with hundreds of thousands of spectators expected to turn out along the riverfront on both banks, from Greenwhich to the Estuary, to see off the Tall Ships.