Mexican Navy training tall ship Cuauhtémoc.

Mexican Navy training ship ARM Cuauhtémoc docked in San Diego Bay.
Mexican Navy training tall ship ARM Cuauhtémoc docked in San Diego Bay.

I had an unexpected adventure today!

I was just walking along San Diego’s Embarcadero late this afternoon, circling homeward after watching a movie and eating lunch at downtown’s Horton Plaza. And there it was. An absolutely gigantic three-masted tall ship docked near the cruise ship terminal!

It was the Mexican Navy’s training vessel Cuauhtémoc, built in Spain in 1982. And the few curious people who walked a short distance out onto the pier discovered they could freely board and tour the ship!

I believe the beautiful high-masted ship might be visiting for the upcoming Festival of Sail, which is to be put on by the San Diego Maritime Museum in two weeks. (Yes, I’ll attend!) Fortunately, today I had my trusty camera with me!

Free tour of the huge tall ship could be enjoyed beside cruise ship terminal.
Free tour of the huge tall ship could be enjoyed beside cruise ship terminal.
Visitors look at information sign near the Cuauhtémoc's gangplank.
Visitors look at information sign near the Cuauhtémoc’s gangplank.
On board, looking straight up the center mast.
On board, looking straight up the center mast.
Mexican Navy officer checks the ship's bell.
Mexican Navy officer checks the ship’s bell.
Looking east across the beautiful ship from the upper deck.
Looking east across the beautiful ship from the upper deck.
The Cuauhtémoc has participated in many events, exhibitions and regattas.
The Cuauhtémoc has participated in many events, exhibitions and regattas.
San Diego's tall ship America can be seen on the bay through the rigging.
San Diego’s tall ship America can be seen on the bay through the rigging.
A view of downtown skyscrapers from the Mexican tall ship's foredeck.
A view of downtown skyscrapers from the Mexican tall ship’s foredeck.
A ship's gun points out past the Broadway Pier.
A ship’s gun points out past the Broadway Pier.
Sailors begin a drill by climbing the shrouds.
Sailors begin a drill by climbing the shrouds.
A line of Mexican sailors ascends toward the sky.
A line of Mexican sailors ascends toward the sky.
Higher they go up the enormous mast!
Higher they go up the enormous mast!
They demonstrate a bit of work with the sails.
They demonstrate a bit of fancy work with the sails.
A sailor descends as American flag flies from the visiting vessel.
A sailor descends as American flag flies from the visiting vessel.
Guests and sailors watch the proceedings with interest.
Guests and sailors watch the proceedings with interest.
A boy pretends to command the sailing ship at the wooden captain's wheel.
A boy pretends to command the sailing ship at the wooden captain’s wheel.
An officer's cap rests atop ropes at one mast's base.
An officer’s cap rests atop ropes at one mast’s base.
Ship's plaque describes El Buque Escuela Cuauhtémoc.
Ship’s plaque describes El Buque Escuela Cuauhtémoc.
Looking west as sun falls toward distant Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
Looking west as sun falls toward distant Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
The figurehead of Cuauhtémoc is a shining Aztec warrior.
The figurehead of Cuauhtémoc is a shining Aztec warrior.

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Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

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