Three bronze fishermen on Shelter Island together reel in a large tuna.
A monumental bronze sculpture in Shoreline Park on Shelter Island has become an iconic image. The Tunaman’s Memorial, by artist Franco Vianello, dedicated in 1988, honors the courage and hard work of generations of tuna fishermen in San Diego. The 9,000 pound sculpture depicts three individuals pole fishing from a boat of the once-large tuna fleet out on the Pacific Ocean. The history of San Diego’s tuna fishing industry contains generations of life stories. These unwritten stories involve fishermen who immigrated from many different nations, including Italy, Portugal and Japan.
One polished side of the sculpture contains names of fishermen who were pioneers in our region, and those who were lost at sea. An inscription reads: Tunaman’s Memorial honoring those that built an industry and remembering those that departed this harbor in the sun and did not return. Anthony Mascarenhas.
The Tunaman’s Memorial on Shelter Island is a 9,000 pound bronze sculpture honoring generations of diverse fishermen.Tuna fishing in local waters was once a major industry in San Diego.Polished side of Tunaman’s Memorial contains names of San Diego fishing pioneers, and those who were lost at sea.This iconic sight on Shelter Island provides a glimpse back in history, at those in our community who worked the sea.
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A colorful religious procession makes its way through San Diego’s culturally rich Little Italy neighborhood.
Early this afternoon, the historic Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Little Italy celebrated Catholic Mass then held a grand procession. Parishioners marched from State Street in front of their church down to San Diego’s Embarcadero, where a fishing boat representing the local tuna fleet was blessed. I witnessed the procession a few years ago, but took no photos. So today I decided to walk along the sidewalk with my camera.
Forgive me for not knowing the details of the religious procession. I do know a large host of the faithful, in all manner of dress, many of Italian descent, and many carrying images of Jesus and Virgin Mary, marched joyfully north up India Street, then turned west down Hawthorn Street until they reached Harbor Drive. At the Hornblower dock, the fishing boat Patty Jo, which is a common sight out on San Diego Bay, was blessed by the priests of Our Lady of the Rosary. It’s a unique San Diego tradition that dates from the early 50s. At the completion of the religious ceremony, which was not open to the public, fireworks resounded in the overcast October sky!
In the early afternoon few were near the front entrance of the Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Little Italy. That would soon change.Plaque on Our Lady of the Rosary Church. Historical monument dedicated December 20, 1925.Banner declares Sunday, October 4 is Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church’s much anticipated Festa 2015.Mass was celebrated at noon in a large outside tent in nearby Amici Park.
The procession slowly assembles after Mass in front of the church.An elegant canopy emerges from the Catholic Church.The colorful religious procession, led by a youthful band, is ready to begin.
The procession is now heading north up India Street.
Approaching a banner announcing that next Sunday is Little Italy’s popular neighborhood Festa.Passing under the landmark Little Italy sign on India Street.
I caught an airplane coming over Bankers Hill preparing to land at Lindbergh Field.Now proceeding down Hawthorn. The threatened rain held off for the event!You can see that hundreds participated in this truly grand spectacle.
Finally arriving at San Diego Bay.A Harbor Patrol boat gives a water cannon salute for the occasion.Priests and those instrumental in blessing the tuna boats head onto the Hornblower dock at Grape Street.My camera could just catch a glimpse of the elaborate Catholic ritual beside the Patty Jo fishing boat.Fireworks launched from a nearby pier burst loudly in the air like exultant sparks.Little puffs of smoke hover in the heavens after the fireworks.The Patty Jo now confidently heads off across the gray water, hoping for safe ocean journeys and bountiful catches.
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Historic Decatur Road entrance of Dick Laub NTC Command Center at Liberty Station in Point Loma.
Some time ago I visited the Command Center at NTC Liberty Station in Point Loma. Two interesting exhibits can be found along the main hallway that runs the length of the historic building. The Command Center was once the operational hub of former Naval Training Center San Diego.
The museum-like Stockdale Family Exhibit concerns the life and history of celebrated Navy Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale and his wife Sybil. The Point Loma Legacy Wing contains many displays that provide insights into the fascinating history of San Diego’s Point Loma.
Should you visit, here’s what you’ll see…
Built in 1941, The Command Center (Building 200) was the focal point of the base. These were offices for the highest-ranking officers, including the Admiral in Command of the Center.Looking from inside the Command Center southeast toward Preble Field and a large American flag.Inside the entrance to the Command Center. Various signs and free literature provide information about the converted military base and its many cultural attractions.Naval Training Center, San Diego. The recruit story is one of personal transformation; a recruit’s experience from arrival through graduation is the foundation for memories…In Memory Of Richard “Dick” Laub. Dick gave credit for much of his success to the G.I. Bill. His passion was the sea and fishing.One wing of the NTC Command Center today contains the Stockdale Family Exhibit. James and his wife Sybil are Navy heroes from the Vietnam War era.Vice Admiral James Stockdale, long-time resident of Coronado, obtained and conveyed important tactical information while imprisoned in North VietnamStockdale was candidate for United States Vice President in 1992 on Ross Perot’s independent ticket. During a debate, he famously said: “Who am I? Why am I here?”The exhibit contains photographs and objects from James and Sybil Stockdale’s family life.The Point Loma Legacy Wing at the NTC Command Center contains two walls of fascinating displays concerning this area’s history.The Point Loma lighthouse, erected in 1854, housed a principal keeper and an assistant keeper. In 1933, the lighthouse became part of Cabrillo National Monument and was restored.San Diego yacht clubs offer camaraderie, friendships and sport. The first club, founded in 1852, was the Pacific Pioneer Yacht Club. In 1886, the San Diego Yacht Club was established.Display case contains artifacts from the San Diego Maritime Museum, including model of a tuna boat.The first fish cannery was built in 1909 at La Playa designed for processing sardines. Albacore canning started in 1911.Pole fishing for tuna was a major industry in San Diego from 1930 through the 1940s. Tuna pole fishing boats traveled up and down the Pacific coast for both albacore and yellowfin.Ballast Point is a small peninsula extending from Point Loma into the channel entrance to the harbor of San Diego. Cobblestones on the point were used for ballast by early trade ships.The Point Loma kelp forest is part of one the largest kelp forests in the northern hemisphere. Giant kelp is a species of marine alga, which may grow up to 200 feet in length.Fort Rosecrans. In 1793, British Captain George Vancouver entered San Diego harbor. He noted the port would be better defended from the Point Loma peninsula.Dutch Flats and the Marine Command Recruit Division. Plans were devised by San Diego Congressman William Kettner. A tidal marsh would be dredged and filled.Anchor and Sybil Stockdale Rose Garden next to NTC Command Center. Photo taken from Legacy Plaza near the center of Liberty Station.
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Fishing from sailboat moored in Crescent area of San Diego Bay.
Before the Trolley Dances began this morning, I walked for a stretch beside the quiet water, between Grape Street and the Coast Guard Station. It was an ordinary morning on San Diego Bay, in an area where few tourists venture. I photographed some typical scenes of real life.
People and dog climb into a small dinghy from floating dock.Man rows boat across the water. A typical scene of city life on the North Embarcadero.Homeless man stretches out on a public bench beside the water.Looking out across the blue water. Hangars of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Diego can be seen in the distance.Working on the weekend. A guy pushes a bunch of bright yellow floats out onto a pier.
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At the southwest end of Shelter Island, near the end of Shoreline Park, are some works of art. The female life-size bronze sculpture is Pacific Spirit, by James Hubbell, 2002.
I was off from work yesterday. In the late morning I headed down to Shelter Island. It’s another of my favorite places. After a bite to eat, I enjoyed an easy, peaceful walk while gathering photos for future blog posts. Expect some cool sights in the coming weeks!
The path that extends the length of narrow Shoreline Park is just about perfect. The park itself is located at the very edge of the bay, stretching from one end of Shelter Island to the other. In one place the path traverses what seems to be more of a large parking lot than a park, but no matter. I love the place. It’s relaxed, usually non-crowded, and just beautiful. There are amazing views of San Diego Bay, sailboats and a large variety of ships, scenic Point Loma, a slice of ocean horizon, the distant Coronado Islands (when it isn’t hazy), busy Naval Air Station North Island and the skyline of downtown San Diego. I often see people sitting on lawn chairs with binoculars, just watching boats pass by, jets take off from North Island, and birds that wheel and dive through the blue sky.
People walk along the pathway which stretches down narrow Shoreline Park. Grass, benches and picnic tables invite both locals and tourists.Bougainvillea and lath provide shade on a sunny warm summer morning. Several of these structures are found along the park.Bicyclist cruises past a raised Osprey nesting platform. A sign nearby provides an explanation.A large Navy warship entering San Diego harbor is seen beyond the Shelter Island pier. Downtown skyscrapers appear misty in the background.Fathom Bistro, Bait and Tackle sign at foot of Shelter Island fishing pier. They’ve been open a couple years now.Someone next to the pathway along Shoreline Park balanced a bunch of rocks up on top of each other. Perhaps it was someone who was fishing.Another cool photo of Shelter Island’s dinghy landing. I published a post with similar photos a year or two ago.Huge swaths of sand along the water are simply covered with gull tracks.Someone spreads a big bag of old bread along the small Shelter Island beach, sending the seagulls into a wild feeding frenzy!It’s a quiet weekday morning outside the Outboard Boating Club of San Diego’s building near the Shelter Island boat ramp. A nearby flagpole is empty.At the base of the flagpole: The Holiday Express. This plaque cast of brass from the aircraft carrier USS Bunkerhill CV-17 is dedicated to that gallant ship and her courageous crew.Perhaps you remember my fun blog post “Wally the sociable sea lion greets boaters.” I saw him again during another walk at the same boat launching area!Floating peacefully along the edge of San Diego Bay, enjoying the calm water and bright sunshine.Someone is ready to row off Shelter Island’s dinghy landing, perhaps heading to a boat moored nearby.
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Crew of live bait catching fishing boat Cougar works to transfer an immense net onto the G Street Pier at Tuna Harbor.
Late this morning I went down to HarborFest in Chula Vista. I’ve got to sort through a couple hundred photos–so I’ll blog about that cool event later. But first, here are some interesting pics which I took during a walk along San Diego’s Embarcadero this afternoon. As I strolled along Tuna Harbor, between Seaport Village and the USS Midway Museum, I noticed a lot of activity beside one of the live bait boats which docks at the G Street Pier. So I investigated.
Turns out, fishermen were removing a huge seine net from the Cougar, a commercial fishing boat which catches live bait. The bait is then distributed to local sportfishing vessels. I don’t claim to be an expert on these matters or to thoroughly understand what I saw, but I believe the captions I wrote are correct. I hope so! If a correction is required, leave a comment!
A crane is utilized to help transfer the heavy net from the boat’s big cylinder-like winch drum at its stern to the pier.Lots of seagulls were attracted to this picturesque scene on San Diego Bay. Perhaps they expected to spot some fish.Wrestling with the huge live bait encircling seine net, which is lined at the edges with yellow and white floats.Commercial fishing requires a lot of hard physical work on both land and water.Winch and crane operators work in tandem to keep the net moving from boat to pier smoothly and neatly.Working with a smile on a sunny summer Saturday on San Diego’s busy Embarcadero.Just a great photo of nets, gulls and human activity on a working public pier.
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Another easy, carefree day of fishing at the Embarcadero Marina Park Pier in downtown San Diego.
I have lots of favorite places. One is the small public fishing pier in downtown San Diego, located at Embarcadero Marina Park South. I walk there quite frequently. When I stand on this short pier, leaning against the rail above the bay’s gently lapping water, I feel my mind and spirit expand.
I walked past the pier last Saturday morning. I’d seen a sign announcing a Kiwanis fishing tournament, and thought it might be fun to take a few photos. But when I arrived, nobody seemed to be there. Perhaps I was too early.
When I got home and reviewed all the photos on my computer, I figured I’d blog about the pier anyway!
I casually know a few of the regulars. Back when JJ’s Sunset Deli by the Bay was open, we’d eat, sit and talk on JJ’s patio at the foot of the pier. Jim had the best ribeye steak sandwiches. I even blogged about it. But I deleted that post when he shut down and retired at the end of last year. It’s a very big shame a new tenant hasn’t taken over the cafe. It’s a small gem that adds unique charm to San Diego and thousands of fond, priceless memories.
The Embarcadero Marina Park Pier extends less than a hundred feet from the shore, but the T-shaped end is about 300 feet long. At times many fish can be caught here. It’s possible to catch mackerel, bass, croaker, halibut, guitarfish, bat rays, leopard sharks and many more local species. Kids love the place. There’s grass nearby and picnic benches, and curving paths for running and riding, and rocks to climb down that are covered at the waterline with tiny, quick crabs.
There are homeless people scattered about the park. But they’re generally just hanging out, talking, sleeping, trying to enjoy the sea breeze, some shade or warm sunshine.
Know what’s really cool? No fishing license on the pier is required! That’s the case with all public pier fishing in San Diego.
Across the bay from the pier (which is located behind the San Diego Convention Center) lies beautiful Coronado Island.The small pier is a favorite spot for fishermen and families. It’s an affordable way for many locals to enjoy their beautiful (but sometimes expensive) city. The pier is most popular on weekends and during the summer.This friendly pier regular drags the bottom of the bay hoping to snag lost fishing poles and other sunken treasure!Someone caught a small mackerel, which flops around on the wooden pier.Another wonderful San Diego day on the Big Bay. The modest pier is located at Embarcadero Marina Park South.Two brown pelicans perch on a rail hoping for a handout from sympathetic fishermen.Fishing poles in a line on a hazy day. Across the gentle water to the south stretches the long San Diego–Coronado Bridge.Joggers, bicyclists, skaters, city residents, tourists, people attending Summer Pops concerts nearby…almost everyone likes to visit this pier for great peaceful views.Just spending some time on the pier, relaxing, talking, enjoying life among friends and fellow fishermen.Birds are plentiful on San Diego Bay…And so are boats, of every kind!Walking along the path that encircles Embarcadero Marina Park South. The small structure which housed the pier cafe, unfortunately, has been vacant this year.Kids look excitedly into the blue water. Maybe the big one is down there just waiting to be caught!
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A pleasure boat, two sailboats, one catamaran–everyone is out on glorious, blue San Diego Bay.
Here are some photos taken today during my walk. Nothing too earth-shattering. Just sunshine, birds, people, water, boats, music, love, life . . . and Chewbacca, Tom Cruise and Captain Ahab. Ordinary stuff.
Gull takes flight near fishing pier at Embarcadero Marina Park South.Folks relax as they listen to a small concert by a Seaport Village fountain.These talented kids playing classic rock tunes in Seaport Village form the band Gen-X!Chewbacca is hanging out with a Star Wars buddy near the USS Midway Museum.Looks like Tom Cruise has shore leave after landing his Top Gun fighter jet on that big aircraft carrier docked there behind him!Two enjoy the sparkling water beside the Cruise Ship Terminal.Students prepare to board the Star of India. A cool Moby Dick Marathon Reading is coming next weekend to San Diego’s historic tall ship.Throwing a rope as Maritime Museum of San Diego’s restored Swift Boat returns from a harbor cruise.
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Taking an easy stroll above the wide, blue ocean in beautiful La Jolla.
My day in La Jolla yesterday was so wonderful I had to do it again!
A second walk today has my computer bursting with photos. So I’d better share some!
I’m going to create two blog posts. This first one involves a walk down the short but breathtaking Coast Walk Trail, then down Coast Boulevard from the Cave Store to La Jolla Cove Beach. Where the ocean meets land here is one of the most amazing, magical places a person might ever visit. A few photos hardly do the experience justice.
Be forewarned, this post starts with great natural beauty, but ends with sudden ugliness. You’ll see why I became a bit angry during my otherwise glorious adventure.
The Historic Coast Walk Trail begins near Torrey Pines Road and ends at the Cave Store on Coast Boulevard.Dozens of kayakers were out on the water as I walked west down the trail enjoying magnificent views.Red kayaks bunched close together below, east of Goldfish Point.Rounding a corner, shops and restaurants on Coast Boulevard come into view.Wooden steps plunge down to a scenic view point atop amazing sandstone cliffs. In the narrow cove on the left is an entrance to a sea cave.Nature’s beauty takes many forms, including a golden flower.From the view point I look east along eroded cliffs toward La Jolla homes.Heading back up to the Coast Walk Trail, which ends nearby at the Cave Store.A man-made tunnel inside the Cave Store leads from the gift shop to the Sunny Jim Sea Cave.About to turn north, beginning down Coast Boulevard, toward La Jolla Cove.The amazing Coast Boulevard passes La Jolla Cove, Scripps Park, Children’s Pool and the La Jolla tide pools!A message on the sidewalk caught my eye. Your troubles will cease and fortune will smile upon you.It’s possible to see into this sea cave.The rocky cliffs along Coast Boulevard are the home of pelicans, sea gulls and cormorants.Long-beaked pelicans and black cormorants have a rest in the warm sun between diving and hunting for fish.The cliffs of La Jolla are made of unstable sandstone, which occasionally crumbles into the Pacific Ocean.A gorgeous view of La Jolla Cove on a perfect spring day.A lifeguard tower rises above La Jolla Cove Beach. To the right of the tower is Point La Jolla.Looking down at La Jolla Cove Beach from the north. Buildings along Coast Boulevard are surmounted by those on Prospect Street.City of San Diego sign provides a warning. Caution, do not approach seals or sea lions! Harassing these marine mammals is against the law.A lady climbs stairs up from the beach, past a lifeguard rescue board.Some benches allow people to enjoy the view. Scuba divers in the cove swim with the sea life.Several thoughtless, self-centered people almost stepped on a seal as they crowded in to get a photograph.Agitated sea lion on a rock angrily confronts pestering people who don’t seem to care.
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