These photos were taken near the Maritime Museum, San Diego in September 2010. The ship is the Star of India.
The Star of India is the world's oldest, active sailing ship. She began life on the stocks at Ramsey Shipyard in the Isle of Man in 1863. The first name she bore was Euterpe and would remain so until 1901. (For those who are not familiar with that part of the world, the Isle of Man is in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. The island is not part of the United Kingdom or European Union, but has the status of crown dependency, similar to Jersey and Guernsey, with an independent administration. Its inhabitants are British Citizens.)
The Star of India began her sailing life with two near-disastrous voyages to India.
On her first trip she suffered a collision and mutiny.
On her second trip a cyclone caught Euterpe in the Bay of Bengal, and with her top masts cut away she barely made port.
Shortly afterwards her first sea captain died on board and was buried at sea.
More interesting facts about her:She was launched five days before Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
She sailed twenty-one times around the world.
She was never fitted with auxiliary power.
She went aground in Hawaii.
She became an American ship by Act of Congress.
She was trapped in ice in Alaska.
At the time of writing, she still sailed every November with a volunteer crew. Whether this is still the case, I don’t know.
More information about her can be found at the link I gave under the first photo.
Years ago, back in the days when we actually lived in San Diego, Gregg and I decided to drive into the city and visit the ship. We noticed quite a crowd of people and standing on my tippy toes I saw Walter Cronkite walk by and watched as he was escorted on board. I am not sure what he was there for but I do remember seeing him on the news that night. I always enjoyed listening to him.If you want to learn more about Walter Cronkite you can click here.
This friendly man gave us a wave after his photo was taken.
"I'm not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."
~Louisa May Alcott~
Thanks for visiting and have a great day!
This is a beautiful ship. and oh my, she has been through so much! I would be afraid to board it, though!!
ReplyDeleteShe does have quite an amazing history :)
DeleteThat is a mighty ship with a lot of history. Good to read about, Denise.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, glad you enjoyed reading about her :)
DeleteThis was so interesting, Denise. So, she's another naturalised American ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Janice, I believe so :)
DeleteWhat an impressive looking ship that is. It sure has had some bad luck over the years though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann :) it certainly has.
DeleteLove the old ships...I was born in New London, CT...and always loved going to Mystic Seaport...
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
That must have been wonderful! Thanks Donna :)
DeleteThe old ships are cool, great photos. Take care, have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen, and you take care and have a great day :)
Deleteshe is even older than me. ha ha... love the full view of her and her gorgeous sails/masts. hard to believe she is that old. I am afraid of ships and the water they sail on and the storms.. I will not be dying on a ship in a storm, unless the storm throws a ship on our house
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to take in a storm throwing a ship onto your house :0 You do make me smile Sandra :) As ships go she's a beauty! Those old sailing ships had a regalness about them somehow. I can't imagine people coming over here in vessels this small in storms that big.
DeleteWhat an amazing ship! Beautiful. Too bad I hate sailing. I get seasick so easily.
ReplyDeleteThat would stop me :)
DeleteWhat fun to see and read about your time seeing this ship. When we were in San Diego for a conference that Greg attended (2012) we passed this ship on our walk from the hotel. I took photos but we never went onboard but I posted about it, too. https://happywonderer.com/2012/02/08/sailing-ships-in-san-diego/ Happy day to you, Denise.
ReplyDeleteSuper! That is very interesting and I will enjoy your post Thank you for the link Ellen and a happy day to you too :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful memory and an amazing ship. Of course, I remember Walter Cronkite. He was the most trusted man in America and in the 1960's and 70's. Lots of us were fans and thought he should be President. I do remember him saying the President, John F. Kennedy, has died. We were all so sad.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed him too Carol, a trusted man as you say. I have seen captions of him answering the news so wasn’t in the country when President Kennedy died. My father was ill and bedridden at the time. I do remember the announcement on our TV and at 13 years old being very shocked, running upstairs to tell my parents and one of dad’s colleagues was visiting him at the time. We were all stunned at the news. I remember that like it was yesterday.
DeleteStar of India is a grand lady...I was not familiar with the ship or history
ReplyDeleteThank you
Hugs Cecilia
She certainly is Cecilia, and you are very welcome. I am happy you found it interesting. Sending hugs :)
DeleteWOW - what a history! I'm not sure I would have ever wanted to sail on the Star of India. Impressive that someone would agree to go back on her:) She was a strong one though. Lots of good applicatios there, I'm sure (especially for those of us who are bit more weather-beaten and storm tossed!):) I learned quite a lot...but especially where the Isle of Man is....perhaps I will visit there one day. I am praying the Lord allows me to travel to both Ireland and Great Britain one day!!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the time when you visit Jennifer. Thank you! :)
DeleteInteresting
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :)
DeleteThat looks like a fabulous trip. The photos are really impressive. Nicely done, Denise.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeanie, she was a great pleasure to take photos of :)
DeleteWhat an illustrious background the Star of India owns! How neat you saw Walter Cronkite. I remember watching him for many years--he was was of the best. I hope you are enjoying this lovely weather, my friend!
ReplyDeleteShe certainly does :) I agree my friend, Walter Cronkite was great. I am enjoying the weather immensely, thank you Martha Ellen. It sounds like you are also :)
DeleteHello Denise, I'm stopping by to say thank you for your kind thoughts and condolences on Eddies passing.
ReplyDeleteI do hope to get back to regular blogging soon.
In the meantime, my thanks again to you.
All the best Jan
Dear Jan, I hesitated to publish your comment but thought in case others had not heard about Eddie, you might perhaps allow me to do so. I have thought of you often and it was good seeing you here. I hope each day will bring some peace. All the best to you my friend and sending hugs. I will keep checking in with you. With my whole hearted sympathy and love, Denise
DeleteEs un bello barco. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias, estoy de acuerdo contigo :) Te mando un beso.
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