November 14, 2018
MARITIME MUSEUM OF SAN DIEGO CELEBRATES STAR OF INDIA’S 155 YEARS
SAN DIEGO, CA (November 14, 2018) – Maritime Museum of San Diego, home to one of the world’s finest collections of historic vessels, from sail to steam to submarine, will sail Star of India for the first time in five years Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18, 2018.
Five years have elapsed since the last time Star of India sailed, so the opportunity to witness her under sail this November makes this an even more special. Star of India, built in 1863, is the world’s oldest active sailing ship and has circumnavigated the globe 21 times. Star of India first came to the City of San Diego in 1927. It was not until 1951 when Maritime Museum of San Diego made long-awaited historical renovations to the vessel originally named Euterpe, after the Greek goddess of music and poetry. Star of India relies on Maritime Museum of San Diego volunteers and a committed staff for its upkeep.
Maritime Museum of San Diego has organized a Companion Sail Adventure which includes the opportunity to sail aboard one of three legendary sailing vessels on this historic occasion when Star of India sails through San Diego Bay and heads out off Point Loma.
Companion Sail ships include Californian, the official tall ship of the state, San Salvador, the 1542 Spanish galleon replica built in San Diego by staff and volunteers, and America, a replica of the historic yacht that won the America’s Cup in 1851. Note: San Salvador and Californian is sold out. Space is still available aboard America. Reservations can be made at sdmaritime.org.
Tickets include catered breakfast, lunch, drinks, and celebratory champagne. Each ship will include an on-board historian to deepen guests’ understanding of Star of India, the history behind all vessels and the Museum. Check in is at 7:30 a.m. and ships are expected to return to the Museum at 5:00 p.m. Space is limited and include admission to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
ABOUT STAR OF INDIA
Star of India is world’s oldest active sailing vessel. She is also the oldest iron-hulled merchant ship still afloat. She was launched as the fully-rigged ship Euterpe at Ramsey Shipyard on the Isle of Man in 1863.
Euterpe began her working life with two near-disastrous voyages to India. On her first trip she suffered a collision and a mutiny. On her second, a cyclone caught Euterpe in the Bay of Bengal, and with her topmasts cut away, she barely made port. Shortly afterward, her first captain died on board and was buried at sea. After such misfortunes, Euterpe would eventually make four more voyages to India as a cargo ship.
In 1871 she was purchased by the Shaw Savill line of London and for the next quarter century she transported hundreds of emigrants to New Zealand and Australia. During this period, she made twenty-one circumnavigations. It was rugged voyaging, with the little iron ship battling through terrific gales, “laboring and rolling in a most distressing manner,” according to her log.
With the opening of the Suez Canal, and sail giving way to steam power, Euterpe would eventually be sold to the Alaska Packers Association. In 1901, her new owners changed her rig to that of a bark (her present configuration). By the time of her retirement in 1923, she had made twenty-two voyages from San Francisco to Alaska, returning each year with her hold laden with canned salmon.
In 1926, the Star of India was sold to the Zoological Society of San Diego as the projected centerpiece for an aquarium and museum. The Great Depression and World War II saw these proposals languish from lack of funding. Eventually in the late 1950s and early 1960s thanks to a groundswell of support from local San Diegans, the Star of India was restored to sailing condition. In 1976, she set sail once again. Her preservation continues as a living reminder of the great Age of Sail, thanks to the tireless efforts of curators and volunteers at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
ABOUT MARITIME MUSEUM OF SAN DIEGO
The Maritime Museum of San Diego enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels. The museum has one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships, including the world’s oldest active ship Star of India. The Maritime Museum of San Diego experience includes admission to a world-class collection of historic sailing ships, steam-powered boats, and submarines, each offering entertaining and educational exhibits. The 501c3 non-profit Museum enjoys an international reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining, and operating historic vessels including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, Star of India. Maritime Museum of San Diego is ranked as one of the nation’s top attractions offering self-guided tours, docent-guided group tours, tall ship charters and historic bay cruises, year-round public events, educational programs, and a distinctive venue for corporate/private events. The Museum is open daily along Star of India Wharf at 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-3309. 619.234.9153. Sdmaritime.org.