The first full day in San Diego was spent at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Anyone who loves ships can happily spend a whole day there going through the ships and looking at the exhibits.
The centerpiece of the museum’s collection is the Star of India (built as Euterpe in 1863). She has a connection to Hawai‘i. Like Falls of Clyde, she once flew the Hawaiian flag. (See Under the Hawaiian Flag.)
(Sorry, the tip of the jibboom is being cropped off by the blog software.)
She’s a lovely ship and is well-cared for by her crew.
The bulkhead behind the chain locker:
I wish FOC’s bulkheads were in such good condition.
The ship’s original official number and tonnage:
The boatswain’s locker:
Cool pump machinery on the weather deck, aft of the main mast:
The salon:
Interesting to note, Star of India‘s salon has a similar look and feel to FOC’s. Before FOC’s salon was stripped of items while the ship was being prepped to be scuttled at sea, that is.
The skylight:
It’s a relief to see that I’m not the only one dealing with water-related issues:
Chafing gear on mooring line:
For Patrick O’Brian and Master and Commander movie fans, there is the Surprise (ex-Rose):
Figurehead:
My friend and I originally wanted to sail on the Californian, but decided to continue looking at the ships instead.
Californian arriving back at the pier:
Aloft, furling sails:
The museum’s headquarters are on board the Berkeley:
A new location means new birds to photograph.
Here is a rather angry looking pigeon sitting on the B-39 Russian submarine:
A juvenile gull yawning:
Other San Diego Bay sights…
Carnival Spirit leaving:
The aircraft carrier USS Midway:
A more industrial shot of a crane on a barge:
I kept looking for fish, but was disappointed. I guess I’m spoiled by the clarity of the water and the variety of fish in Honolulu Harbor.
All in all, a very lovely day!
A special mahalo to Brad H. and Dr. Ray Ashley.
Notes From the Wooden and Iron World 