sailing – Page 10 – Cool San Diego Sights!

Photos: amazing tour of Spanish galleon build site!

Sign at entrance to San Salvador build site. You have a couple more weeks to visit before the replica galleon's historic launch into San Diego Bay. — Sign at entrance to San Salvador build site. You have a couple more weeks to visit before the replica galleon’s historic launch into San Diego Bay.

Yesterday I enjoyed a tour of something so unbelievably cool it almost defies description. Along with my photographs I took some notes, but what I’m about to write might not be perfectly accurate. I’m relying to an extent on memory, which with my advancing age isn’t quite what it used to be. So if anyone reading my captions spots an error, PLEASE write a comment at the bottom of this blog post!

Later this month, the Maritime Museum of San Diego will be launching its absolutely fantastic, historically accurate, seaworthy replica of the galleon San Salvador. The original San Salvador was the ship that Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed in during his voyage of discovery up the California coast on behalf of Spain. The famous galleon entered San Diego Bay in 1542, making Cabrillo the first European to visit the large, natural harbor. What we call San Diego today he named San Miguel.

Today, the full-size working replica of Cabrillo’s ship is being built at the west end of Spanish Landing, in an area called San Salvador Village, between Harbor Island and San Diego International Airport. The finished ship will be 92 feet long with a beam of 24 feet. As I understand it, construction has been underway for about four years, and for a variety of reasons has taken a couple years longer than originally projected. But once the decks are re-caulked, the shrouds tarred, and a few other things finished, the ship’s exterior will finally be ready for its imminent introduction into San Diego Bay!

The galleon, which without ballast weighs about 130 tons, will be slowly towed to the Broadway Pier downtown, then lifted by a huge crane into the bay. While docked beside the other ships of the Maritime Museum, the interior will be finished, about 60 more tons of lead ballast added, and the vessel’s ability to remain upright thoroughly tested by the Coast Guard.

(Don’t quote me on the 130 tons and 60 tons. Those figures came entirely from my leaky memory.)

There’s simply too much awesome stuff to describe in a few paragraphs, so let me now show you my photographs and I’ll include in the captions some of the cool stuff I learned or observed…

Shipbuilding was the first industrial activity of the New World. Gift shop at site entrance includes Spanish conquistador helmets and breastplate.

Poster shows personal arms and protective clothing used by the men who sailed with Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo five centuries ago.

A small museum and gift shop includes many interesting sights, including a shirt of chainmail and flag of the Spanish Empire. — A small museum and gift shop includes many interesting sights, including a shirt of chain mail and flag of the Spanish Empire.

Diagram shows the sail plan for historic galleon San Salvador.

Various items on display include lantern, candle, bottle, ship's food and native Kumeyaay artifacts. — Various items on display include lantern, candle, bottle, ship’s food and native Kumeyaay artifacts.

Outside, at the build site, there are many more exhibits. This reproduction of found rock art seems to be of sailing ships. The native Kumeyaay people often visited San Diego Bay. — Outside, at the build site, there are many more exhibits. This reproduction of found rock art seems to show sailing ships. The native Kumeyaay people often visited San Diego Bay.

First Contact. If this rock art is a Kumeyaay depiction of Cabrillo's expedition, it might be the oldest graphic representation of a recorded event in American history. — First Contact. If this rock art is a Kumeyaay depiction of Cabrillo’s expedition, it might be the oldest graphic representation of a recorded event in American history.

Here's a huge anchor! I didn't ask, but I assume it will be used by the San Salvador. — Here’s a huge anchor! I didn’t ask, but I assume it will be used by the San Salvador.

San Salvador carries six sails totaling a little less than 5000 square feet. The sails are not only used to propel the ship, but exert a larger influence on steering than the rudder.

View of a small sail suspended from a yard, with Harbor Drive in background beyond the build site. — View of a small sail suspended from a yard, with Harbor Drive in the background north of the build site.

Suspended from a crane is a shroud (rigging that helps hold a mast) that's being tarred. The bow of the galleon comes to a sharp point at its beak. — Suspended from a crane is a shroud (rigging that helps hold a mast) that’s being tarred. The bow of the galleon comes to a sharp point at its beak.

Iron in an undeveloped region of the New World was a precious commodity. Imported ingots were often used to forge various fittings and hardware.

Hooks, chain links and other iron instruments were crucial to sail and maintain a large ship.

The San Salvador carried armament to defend the expedition from potential threats. The cannon-like bombard and swivel gun could be fired from the deck.

Two bombards on display at the San Salvador build site. They could fire shot about five pounds in weight and were mounted on wheels.

Detailed map of Cabrillo's route up the California coast. He found neither treasure, nor a passage to the Atlantic. — Detailed map of Cabrillo’s route up the California coast. He found neither treasure, nor a passage to the Atlantic.

There are no blueprints for the galleon San Salvador. To reconstruct the 16th century ship, the Maritime Museum of San Diego used scarce historical clues.

It was difficult to find the right kinds of wood for different parts of the vessel. Both old and modern shipbuilding techniques were used.

Wood mast segments and yards are coasted with linseed oil, I believe. They'll be installed once the ship is afloat in San Diego Bay. — Wood mast segments and yards are coasted with linseed oil, I believe. They’ll be installed once the ship is afloat in San Diego Bay.

Approaching the impressive reproduction of the historic galleon. Just imagine going for an ocean sail in this!

Detailed schematic shows framework and beams that support decking and hull.

The master builder sets up keel, stem, sternpost and deadwood, locked together with long iron drifts. The master frame is then built.

I believe these are the lower halves of two masts (main and fore), each ending in a crow's nest. — I believe these are the lower halves of two masts (main and fore), each ending in a crow’s nest.

A look at the hard wood hull of the galleon San Salvador at Spanish Landing. — A look at the super hard wood hull of the galleon San Salvador at Spanish Landing.

Volunteer tour guide shows how six segments of heavy lead are attached to the keel.

Each piece of lead weighs over 6000 pounds. The lead was originally used for the drop hammers of Rohr Industries in Chula Vista to form aircraft parts.

A small tour group investigates the amazing galleon on a sunny San Diego day!

The high stern of San Salvador. The rudder is attached to a tiller. That propeller below (and eventual engine) is a modern convenience, unknown by Cabrillo! — The high stern of San Salvador. The rudder is attached to a tiller. That propeller below (and an eventual engine) is a modern convenience unknown by Cabrillo!

Our group climbed the steps of scaffolding to check out the hull, upper deck and aftcastle.

We're shown where the shrouds connect to the ship's side. The darker looking lower portion of the hull is made of hard wood, which is heavier than water. — We’re shown where a shroud connects to the ship’s side. The darker looking lower portion of the hull is made of hard wood, which is heavier than water.

We're almost on top! — We’re almost on top!

View of the San Salvador galleon while standing atop the aftcastle. Work to finish the vessel's deck and interior is underway. — View of the San Salvador galleon while standing atop the aftcastle. Work to finish the vessel’s deck and interior is underway.

This deck will be re-caulked this week using cotton, hemp rope and synthetic tar. Earlier caulking with less modern materials was unsuccessful, if I recall correctly. — This deck will be re-caulked soon using cotton, hemp rope and synthetic tar. Earlier caulking with less modern materials was unsuccessful, if I recall correctly.

Sketch of helmsman steering the galleon with a vertical lever attached to the rudder's tiller. He had a window to look through in the aftcastle. — Sketch of helmsman steering the galleon with a vertical lever attached to the rudder’s tiller. He had a window to look through in the aftcastle.

Looking back at the aftcastle and rearmost poop deck from the center of the upper deck. You can see the window through which the helmsman peered.

Capstan is a vertical timber that projects through the deck. Bars will be inserted and used by sailors to turn the capstan, hauling ropes or chains. — Capstan is a revolving vertical timber that projects through the deck. Bars will be inserted and used by sailors to turn the capstan, hauling ropes or chains.

This is one of five separate water-tight compartments being worked on below. Bunks will be contained here, for journeys out to the Channel Islands eventually.

Under the forecastle, looking toward the bow's beak. The two holes beside the rectangular chain locker are hawseholes, through which the anchor chain is lifted or lowered. — Under the forecastle, looking toward the bow’s beak. The two holes beside the rectangular chain locker are hawseholes, through which the anchor chain is lifted or lowered.

Looking straight down here you can see where the foremast and bowsprit are seated.

Wow! Is this cool! How often does one get to walk around an actual honest-to-goodness working galleon!

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Float your boat on San Diego Bay!

Fishermen enjoy a day on San Diego Bay with downtown skyline in background.

I made a discovery last weekend as I searched through hundreds of old pics on my computer. It seems I really like to photograph anything that floats in San Diego Bay! There’s just something very striking about purposeful objects that move across the sparkling water. Here’s a variety of photos…

Ferry approaches Coronado while navigating past other ships and boats.

Kayakers paddle under the Coronado Ferry Landing pier.

Kayaker checks out the water underneath Joe's Crab Shack. — Kayaker checks out the water underneath Joe’s Crab Shack.

Paddling away on San Diego Bay. Looks like a fun adventure!

Guy in small inflatable with bucket, net and fishing rods hopes to catch something.

USS Ardent (MCM-12) mine countermeasures Navy ship cruises along the bay.

Huge Dole cargo ship brings in millions of bananas from Central America.

Sailboat heads out from Shelter Island Yacht Basin past Scripps research ship Melville.

Billowing sail is colorful under San Diego blue sky.

Man casts from shore of Shelter Island, hangars on North Island in the background.

A bunch of beautiful yachts in a row behind the San Diego Convention Center.

Boats docked in large marina between Harbor Island and Spanish Landing.

Maritime Museum of San Diego's Swift Boat, PCF-816, returns from a harbor cruise. — Maritime Museum of San Diego’s Swift Boat, PCF-816, returns from a harbor cruise.

The Harbor Island Fuel Dock is always a hub of boating activity.

Sailboat leans on sparkling water of our endlessly fascinating big bay. — Sailboat leans on the sparkling water of our endlessly fascinating Big Bay.

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World’s largest single-masted yacht in San Diego!

Mirabella V is the largest single-masted yacht in the world! It's gigantic! — Mirabella V is the largest single-masted yacht in the world! It’s gigantic!

I had to blink my eyes a couple times during my walk today. I was behind the San Diego Convention Center, where lots of visiting super yachts are docked, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

That huge ship in front of me looked like the largest sailboat on planet Earth!

As it turned out, my first impression wasn’t far from the truth!

A little searching on the internet proved that I had spotted the Mirabella V (today more commonly called M5), a sloop-rigged super yacht launched in 2003. Registered in the Isle of Man, it’s the largest single-masted yacht ever built. It’s 292 feet high! That’s almost the height of a 30-story skyscraper! It’s so tall, it won’t fit under any bridge accessible from the ocean. Not even the Golden Gate Bridge!

It’s hard to appreciate the mind-boggling immensity of this amazing vessel with these quick pics, but I thought they were worth sharing anyway.

You never know what extraordinary thing you’ll encounter during an ordinary stroll!

People walk past huge boat docked behind convention center.

A cool, unexpected sight. Mirabella V is visiting San Diego on this sunny October day. — An unexpected sight. Mirabella V is visiting San Diego on a sunny October day.

Here are a couple more pics I snapped on October 19…

People walk toward Hilton hotel and giant mast of a world-record super yacht.

Mirabella V has a mast that is higher than nearby San Diego buildings!

Here’s another pic I took in March 2015…

People enjoying a day on San Diego Bay return to sailing super-yacht M5.

Check out what I saw on April 12, as I was walking along!

During another walk I noticed an airplane in the water beside M5.

The super-yacht's crane lifts the small seaplane from San Diego Bay into the air! — The super-yacht’s crane lifts the small seaplane from San Diego Bay into the air!

Crew members pull on ropes to swing the airplane toward the ship's deck. — Crew members pull on ropes to swing the airplane toward the ship’s deck.

This tiny seaplane is about to be set on a super gigantic sailing ship! — This tiny seaplane is about to be set on a super gigantic single-masted sailing yacht!

The plane is secured to the rear deck of the amazing M5 yacht.

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More tall ships and fun at 2014 Festival of Sail!

Man and boy walk along Embarcadero at San Diego's 2014 Festival of Sail. — Man and boy walk along Embarcadero at San Diego’s 2014 Festival of Sail.

Here’s my third blog post concerning my visit on Sunday to the Labor Day weekend 2014 Festival of Sail on San Diego’s Embarcadero. My first post concerned the brig Pilgrim; my second contained pics of the other beautiful tall ships at the first temporary floating dock just north of the San Diego Maritime Museum. Feel free to click around Cool San Diego Sights and check them out.

I pick up now where I left off last time–heading from the first floating dock to the second.

The Tole Mour takes students out to the Channel Islands as a school ship.

The large topsail schooner is based out of Long Beach.

Tole Mour was originally a medical vessel serving the remote Marshall Islands.

A couple young ladies on board were playing musical instruments for visitors. — A couple of young ladies on board were playing musical instruments for visitors.

30 to 35 students bunk down here during their educational expeditions.

I wish I were a kid again! I remember a similar trip on a smaller vessel I took as a high school student, cruising along Alaska’s Inside Passage. I think our bunks were even narrower! But that’s a different story…

Coming up from below. Flags flap in the sunshine.

Here's the cabin where kids gather to eat and learn about the sea. — Here’s the cabin where kids gather to eat and learn about the sea.

A small library and a chart depicting different marine life.

The very cool Tole Mour was launched in 1987.

Two generations, side by side, man the helm topside.

The Irving Johnson, a brigantine based in San Pedro, the port of Los Angeles. — Stern of the Irving Johnson, a brigantine based in San Pedro, the port of Los Angeles.

Folks at the Festival of Sail step onto the visiting tall ship.

The bow faces distant Point Loma on our big, calm San Diego Bay. — The bow faces distant Point Loma on our lovely, calm San Diego Bay.

Sally has been a crew member from almost the beginning--22 years! — Sally has been a Los Angeles Maritime Institute crew member from the beginning–22 years!

I hope my information here is correct. I didn’t take notes. Sally just smiled as she talked about her many memories as a volunteer at the Los Angeles Maritime Institute. She started 22 years ago as a lowly volunteer sweeper. She watched the two nearly identical ships–the Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson–being built simultaneously side-by-side in a parking lot! She told me she has more than a million stories to tell! I believe her!

The ship's twin--the Exy Johnson--is tied up on the opposite side of the dock. — The ship’s twin–the Exy Johnson–is tied up on the opposite side of the dock.

One more tall ship waits to be visited at this floating dock... — One more beautiful tall ship waits to be visited at this floating dock…

It's the Bill of Rights, a gaff-rigged schooner from Chula Vista, in our south bay! — It’s the Bill of Rights, a gaff-rigged schooner from Chula Vista, in our south bay!

Dogs enjoyed visiting the cool ships, too!

A big old ship's wheel gives me a hankering for adventure on the high seas. — A big old ship’s wheel gives me a hankering for adventure on the high seas.

Some festival visitors went on harbor cruises, or participated in cannon battles on the bay!

This is the hub of the San Diego Maritime Museum--the Berkeley steam ferryboat. — This is the hub of the San Diego Maritime Museum–the Berkeley steam ferryboat.

I haven’t really covered the many ships of the San Diego Maritime Museum in my blog, apart from some dockside pictures of the Star of India, the build site of the galleon San Salvador, and a couple pics of the Pilot out on the bay. I suppose I’ll have to put the many cool ships in the museum’s collection on my list!

Inside the Berkeley a family watches a hobbyist create a tiny ship model.

People walk out on the Dolphin, the world's deepest diving submarine. — People walk out on the Dolphin, the world’s deepest diving submarine.

Stepping out onto a narrow dock at the side of the Berkeley and gazing north. — Stepping out onto a narrow dock on the north side of the Berkeley and gazing across the water.

The small Patricia Belle, from Mexico, is tied up next to the steam yacht Medea. — The graceful Patricia Belle, from Mexico, is tied up next to the steam yacht Medea.

Passing under a lifeboat, heading to the dock at rear of the Berkeley. — Passing under a lifeboat, heading to the large dock jutting from the rear of the Berkeley.

Turning around. A huge collection of ships that you could visit all day! — Turning around. A huge collection of ships that you could tour all day!

I’m standing near the stern of America, a modern replica of the ship that won the original America’s Cup. The boats docked side-by-side along the Berkeley are, left to right, the Jada, Patricia Belle and Medea.

America's Cup boats and San Diego's America and the Californian are back here! — Two America’s Cup boats and tall ships America and Californian are based back here!

San Diegans often see the sleek Stars and Stripes and the Abracadabra out racing on the big bay. The two participated in somewhat more recent America’s Cup competitions. I have no photos here, but I should in the future! My camera’s memory card was almost full!

The Exy Johnson sails out to be followed by the Californian, in the foreground.

Pic taken moments after the mainland battery fired a cannon!

The gun produced a huge blinding flash! I couldn’t capture it, because my fingers were firmly pressed into my ears!

While cannon is cleaned, the Exy Johnson and Californian begin a duel on the bay!

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2014 Festival of Sail’s many beautiful tall ships!

People arrive at San Diego's 2014 Festival of Sail on the Embarcadero. — People arrive at San Diego’s 2014 Festival of Sail on the Embarcadero.

I began a description of the 2014 Festival of Sail in the previous blog post, where I showed photos of the brig Pilgrim docked on San Diego’s Embarcadero. The big Labor Day weekend event features 21 different vessels, so now I’ll provide a quick tour of the other beautiful tall ships that can be seen on sparkling San Diego Bay! I have so many pics that I’ve broken them up into two separate parts.

The sails of the historic Star of India rise beyond a kettle corn sign!

The many ships of the San Diego Maritime Museum took part, including HMS Surprise.

You might remember having seen HMS Surprise in the Academy Award winning movie Master and Commander, starring Russell Crowe!

One of several pirates walking about the annual event, thrilling lots of kids.

Three temporary floating docks are surrounded by visiting tall ships.

The nearest ship is the Pilgrim, a replica of the historic ship described by Richard Henry Dana in Two Years Before the Mast.

Gaff-rigged schooner Spirit of Dana Point was tied up next to the Pilgrim.

Early morning festival visitors check out the Spirit of Dana Point.

One of several photographers looking for cool shots on the beautiful ships.

This large bell was donated by famous actor John Wayne from his own ranch!

That is one loud bell!

Ship's compass is another typical nautical sight. — Ship’s compass is another typical nautical sight.

Looking across the picturesque deck of the Spirit of Dana Point.

Golden female figurehead gazes out across San Diego Bay.

Three-masted schooner American Pride awaits across the dock.

American Pride and paddleboarder seen from bayside walkway.

View of American Pride from Curlew. — View of American Pride’s elegant stern from nearby Curlew.

This photographer aims at a cannon! — Photographer on American Pride takes aim at a cannon!

American Pride, built in 1941, calls Long Beach home.

People prepare to board the small staysail schooner Curlew

This sailing ship won many East Coast races in the 1920's and 1930's. — This sailing ship won many East Coast races in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Visitors check out the small schooner Curlew. — Visitors check out the beautiful sailing vessel.

Curlew served as a training ship and submarine patrol boat in World War II.

Kayakers were out cruising among the assembled tall ships.

The Tole Mour awaits at the second floating dock, my next stop!

Stay tuned! There’s more to come!

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Richard Henry Dana’s brig Pilgrim in San Diego!

Replica of Richard Henry Dana's brig Pilgrim at the 2014 Festival of Sail! — Replica of Richard Henry Dana’s brig Pilgrim at the 2014 Festival of Sail!

One of the world’s most famous sailing ships has returned to San Diego after 180 years!

Well–ahem–actually, a replica of the Pilgrim, the ship that became immortal in Richard Henry Dana Jr.’s classic book Two Years Before the Mast, sailed into San Diego Bay a few days ago. It’s one of many beautiful tall ships participating in this Labor Day weekend’s 2014 Festival of Sail.

This morning I got a bunch of pics of the festival and all the amazing ships along the Embarcadero. But I decided to start off by writing a blog post about the Pilgrim, which has a warm spot in my heart.

Every so often I reread Two Years Before the Mast, when I get a hankering to revisit the true, very interesting and adventurous tale written by Dana about his difficult voyage around Cape Horn and along the mostly uninhabited California coast as a common sailor. For some reason I feel a strange kinship with the author. Whenever I enjoy the book, I always try to envision what his hardy cattle hide trading ship looked like.

Today’s replica of the brig Pilgrim began as a three-masted schooner built in 1945 in Denmark; it was then converted to a brig in 1975 in Portugal. Now it’s a floating classroom with the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, California. The ship was used in Amistad, a movie directed by Steven Spielberg. While no one knows precisely how the original Pilgrim appeared, it quite likely resembled the ship I visited this morning.

The Pilgrim became immortalized in the classic book Two Years Before the Mast.

Walking down to the Pilgrim, docked among many cool sailing ships.

Wooden figurehead of the Pilgrim is a representation of Richard Henry Dana Jr.

I assume the figurehead of Dana holds a scroll because he went on to become a Harvard-educated lawyer. He advocated for groundbreaking laws which protected the common sailor and made life at sea for many a bit less dangerous and unfair.

San Diego Festival of Sail includes this historic, very interesting tall ship.

Sadly, the gentleman welcoming visitors on board (not the guy pictured) apparently had never read Two Years Before the Mast. He didn’t seem to know anything about Dana’s stay in San Diego, cleaning and curing cattle hides just inside the bay at Point Loma, riding with his friend inland to the old Mission, and having memorable good times in Old Town when San Diego was in its infancy.

In the shade of a canvas sail, people from the Ocean Institute and visitors chat.

Sign stresses the critical importance of correct line handling.

Gazing toward the bow past ship's bell and American flag. — Gazing toward the bow past ship’s bell and American flag.

The Pilgrim needed a crew of twelve to fourteen seamen to man her.

I was one of the first aboard, before the big Labor Day weekend crowd arrived!

That fuzzy stuff is called baggywrinkle!

Beyond ship's wheel, several tall ships are docked at Maritime Museum. — Beyond the ship’s wheel, several tall ships are docked at the San Diego Maritime Museum.

Advice from the cook--eat good hearty salt beef! — Advice from the cook–eat good hearty salt beef!

I like the passages in Two Years Before the Mast where Dana describes his difficult adjustment to the seafaring life.

The above sign includes his reaction after following the cook’s advice: “I got a huge piece of strong, cold salt beef from the cook and kept gnawing upon it until twelve o’clock. When we went on deck, I felt somewhat like a man, and could begin to learn my sea duty with considerable spirit.”

Pilgrim crew member works at a knot during San Diego's tall ship festival. — Pilgrim crew member works at a knot during San Diego’s tall ship festival.

The West Coast was a mostly desolate, seldom-visited frontier in those days long ago. It was a place of danger, difficult undertakings and true discovery. Sometimes during my easy walks around and about San Diego, I try to imagine the glorious horizons and raw natural beauty unaltered by modern development. It’s a place in time that now exists only in memory. And in great books.

Stern of the brig Pilgrim at the 2014 Festival of Sail.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

A line of Mexican sailors ascends toward the sky.

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.

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.

The figurehead of Cuauhtémoc is a shining Aztec warrior.

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Working high in the rigging of Star of India.

Clinging to the end of Star of India's bowsprit. — Clinging to the end of Star of India’s bowsprit.

Dedicated members of San Diego’s Maritime Museum were hard at work yesterday, working in the Star of India’s rigging like busy spiders on a web.

The rigging of the historic three-masted bark is undergoing an overhaul, a project that is expected to take a full year. That’s according to the person selling tickets. The large yards of the foremast have already been removed and are lying on the sidewalk awaiting inspection and a new coat of paint. I was told the ship’s trees (platforms on the masts) are infested with termites. They’ll have to be repaired. To maintain the 150 year old Star of India, the oldest active sailing ship in the world, requires a lot of work!

People tangled in picturesque ship's rigging. — People tangled in picturesque ship’s rigging.

Like highwire artists on the slender ropes.

Yards from foremast wait on sidewalk to be painted.

Maritime Museum members at work on Star of India.

I got a quick photo of a San Diego Maritime Museum volunteer working on the yards on an early July morning!

Volunteer works on Star of India's yards. — Volunteer works on Star of India’s yards.

Here come several more pics taken in October. The top third of the foremast has been removed!

Top portion of foremast has been removed in October of 2014. — Top portion of Star of India foremast has been removed in October of 2014.

San Diego Maritime Museum volunteers work high up on the historic Star of India. — Maritime Museum of San Diego workers high up on the foremast of the historic Star of India.

On the shrouds, in a tangle of ropes between masts. — On a shroud, in a tangle of ropes and cables between masts.

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Sailboats race on shining San Diego Bay.

I snapped these photos almost directly into the sun. I assumed they’d turn out lousy. But the effect is actually pretty cool! To me it looks like white sails winging through a brightly shining heavenly space!

Sailboats race in a bright silvery space.

World’s oldest active sailing ship ready to go!

Today a 150 year old tall ship was spotted sailing in the wide Pacific Ocean off Point Loma, just beyond the historic lighthouse! Was it a ghost from the past? How is it possible?

It’s possible because San Diego’s own Star of India, the oldest active sailing ship in the world, departed from the dock today for its yearly sail!

I thought about buying a ticket for the historic event, but unfortunately I’m feeling a bit under the weather. This morning I did manage to amble down to the Embarcadero to watch and take some photos of the colorful preparations that are required for the beautiful ship to get underway.

In the first pic, you can see Maritime Museum members and some passengers gathered, getting ready to board or lend a hand.

The guy hanging from some ropes just finished decoupling electrical and other lines from the black wrought iron hull of the docked ship.

Volunteers carefully climb up into the rigging to get everything ready for the sail!

Some hardy folks were already up on the yard arms working at the rigging. Once the Star of India is pulled out of San Diego Bay, the sails are unfurled and the tall ship is completely free to run before the wind!

After a bit of work, the ramp was finally disengaged from the ship and pulled backward onto the sidewalk.

One by one the ropes holding the Star of India to the Embarcadero were cast off.

Here’s one of the two tugboats, ready to tow San Diego’s pride and joy out of the harbor. The classic figurehead of the Star will soon be facing the open sea!

Pulling away from the dock… A pair of museum volunteers look on wistfully…

The lady heads out into the bay’s deep channel… Aircraft hangars at Naval Air Station North Island can be seen on the left. Point Loma stretches in the background.

Definitely very cool!

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