November 9, 2013

The Star of India 2013 Sailing

The Star of India Returning.  2009.

Before I have coffee, I call Bobbie and catch her in the terminal at LAX.  She’s feeling a bit weepy.  I understand.  I just hope she can get a decent seat and nap to Boston.

Newspaper, toast, time with the Great Geezer followed.  He has an estate sale he wants to attend, and I want to see the Star off on her morning sail now that the fog has burned off. 

Second sailing, The great Geezer, November 11, 1984.

The San Diego Maritime Museum writes of her, “Star of India is the world's oldest active sailing ship. She began her life on the stocks at Ramsey Shipyard in the Isle of Man in 1863. Iron ships were experiments of sorts then, with most vessels still being built of wood. Within five months of laying her keel, the ship was launched into her element. She bore the name Euterpe, after the Greek muse of music and poetry.”

In 1901, she was sold to the Alaskan Packers, cut down to a barque, and renamed the Star of India.  She hauled salmon until 1921.  Retired to rot, instead she was bought and brought to San Diego where she became the heart of what is now the San Diego Maritime Museum. 

Many of us got to spend birthdays aboard her, and thanks to my step father, I got to go out with her after her post restoration first sail in 1983.  G came along on her second time out, in 1984.  Today we won’t be on the water, but I will be able to get a few shots from land. 


Out of focus family on board the Meg A Bob  ready to go out for the first Star Sail.

4 comments:

  1. Wow, the Geezer before he was a Geezer! Look at all my hair.

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  2. Wow! That's a beautiful boat and Geezer? What a handsome hunk of a man!

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  3. I agree with Kay...once a looker, always a looker, I guess. That was an interesting history. I have a ship tour (small--both the ship and the tour) that I should post just for you!

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  4. What a beautiful ship! You inspired me to read more on Wikipedia, which tells me that from 1871 for 25 years she carried emmigrants from England to New Zealand, with Australia a port of call. A life-changing form of transport for many, many people. How interesting it would be if old ships like her could talk!

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