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1306 North Harbor Drive, San Diego
Info: 619-234-9153
The Star of India is the world's oldest seafaring ship
and one of many boat
attractions in San Diego.
Built in 1863 at Ramsey Shipyard in the Isle of Man, it was an experimental
design utilizing iron instead of wood. Launched as Euterpe, a full-rigged
ship named after the Greek goddess of music, the ship's initial voyages
involved some rough sailing. Her first trip included a collision
and mutiny. She came face to face with a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal
on her second journey. Her topmasts cut away, she barely made port. Following
that, the first captain died on board and was buried at sea.
The waters finally quieted and it was smooth sailing during
numerous uneventful voyages and several "change of owner" transactions.
She served as a cargo ship to India, a passenger vessel hauling emigrants
to New Zealand and a commercial salmon fishing and packing facility. Her
name was changed to Star of India in 1906 and after 60 years of solid performance
in 1923, she was towed to the San Diego bay. Saved from the ax or torch
by concerned historians, she sat in port for over 50 years until funding
helped renovate the tired old lady which was once a star.
In 1976, the
fully restored Star of India put to sea for the first time in fifty years,
under the command of Captain Carl Bowman. She sailed beautifully
that day, to the applause of half a million fans, ashore and afloat. Since
then, the Star of India has sailed on numerous special occasions.
Now part of a maritime museum tour, you can visit the
Star of India. Admission is under $10. There
is metered parking throughout the week, and the museum is open daily. This
is not the official museum web site. Call first for hours and admission
prices or visit their web site on line.
sdmaritime.com
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