The iron hulled “Star of India”, which is at the heart of
the San Diego Maritime Museum, was launched from the Isle of Man in 1863 as the
“Euterpe.” In 1901 she was sold to the
Alaskan Packers Association. After 22
trips to Alaska, she was sold to the San Diego Zoological Society and towed to
San Diego in 1927.
For years she suffered indignities as she lay alongside the
waterfront. During WWII, her masts were
cut down because they were in the way of aircraft. After the war no one paid attention to her as
she lay derelict in the bay. Alan
Villiers, author and adventurer, saw her and “publicized the situation.” Restoration began under the care of the “Star
of India Auxiliary” now the San Diego Maritime Museum. It was a long haul, and it wasn’t until 1976,
she and her crew took her to sea again.
I first went out with her on my mother and stepfather’s boat
the “Meg-a-bob” in 1976. There was
little wind that day, and few efforts at crowd control. Yachts, ships, and boats of all kinds pressed
right up to her hull. The sea itself was
churned to a froth of chop. George and I
went out on the “Meg-a-bob” with her again in 1984 and in 2003. Now we often stop just to photograph her whenever
we see this last iron hulled sailing ship in the world.
What a lovely ship and beautiful seas. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteSome day I'll figure out where my love of tall-ships comes from. Maybe it's from you? I dunno. I do know that it's been there for a long time and the older I get the opportunities that I have to be on the water get fewer and farther in between.
ReplyDeleteI know you've read the Master and Commander series of books (if you haven't you should start), but did you see the movie with Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany? Brilliant stuff.
Here on the EAst Coast we get our share of beauties. I don't often know all the great stories, but those who love ships are more than willing to share.
ReplyDeleteI miss working on the Star!
ReplyDeleteConnecticut has a history of sailing too. At the Mystic Seaport the Charles W. Morgan, a whaler, is open to the public. It was refurbished and actually sailed this spring. And the Amistad, which has a different history, is still in New Haven.
ReplyDeleteI was on the beach in Coronado the day the Star sailed...it was wonderful
ReplyDelete