The Star of India

Figure head








The Star of India originally called “Euterpe” after the Greek Muse of music, song, and dance. She was used as a cargo and passenger ship that took immigrants to New Zealand and cargo to India during the 1870’s.She was renamed Star of India when she was purchased by the Alaska Packers Association of San Francisco in 1901 and used for the Alaskan salmon trade. The Alaska Packers were an alliance of several different fishing companies, who would send their ships up to Alaska every year to fish for salmon. The Alaska Packers gave all of their ships “star” names such as “Star of England” and “Star of Ireland” The Star of India continued to sail with the Alaska Packers until her retirement in 1923.



Helm






On her many voyages the Star of India went through collisions, cyclones, and conspiracy among the crewmembers. So when Jerry Macmullen and a group of maritime enthusiasts bought the Star for $9,000 in 1926 she was very badly damaged. Taking care of the Star was difficult because money was short, and the combination of the economic stress from The Great Depression and World War II complicated things even more. Because of these obstacles they could not collect enough funds to begin her restoration until 1959.By July 4th 1976 she was able to sail again, and has been going on voyages every five years ever since.



Wheel







The ship is steered by the Helmsmen, who also had to keep an eye on the compass and sails. The wheel steers the ship by shifting the direction of the rudder, which changes the direction of the ship. When you stand by the wheel you can see the HMS Surprise and the Berkeley, both of which are ships owned by the museum. The Surprise is a replica of an 18th century Royal Navy frigate, which was used in the movie “Master and Commander” and the Berkeley is an 1898 steam ferryboat. The Berkeley is where the Museum is based; it has the most exhibits and the library, which is where the other interns and I do most of our work.


Mast







The Star of India is the last authentic tall ship that can still be sailed. Tall ships are large traditionally rigged sailing ships. She was built at Ramsey Shipyard on the Isle of Man in 1863 as one of the first experimental iron ships in a time when most vessels were still made of wood. The Star has been virtually unchanged since then, and she is the world’s oldest active sailing ship.



Back of the ship







Today people come to San Diego Bay to visit the Star of India for tours and exhibits on her, and maritime history, and students and families can go on mock voyages to learn what the life of immigrants and sailors would be like during the 1800’s.
People also come to the Maritime Museum to access the Jerry Macmullen Library aboard the Berkeley, which has collections of books, pictures, tapes, and other Maritime related documents. The library is where I do most of my intern work, and spend most of my time when I am at the museum.





Sources

1923, steam ruled the seas. Sailing ships were obsolete, scores were laid up in ports, and including the. "San Diego Maritime Museum : Historic Ships : Star of India." Maritime Museum of San Diego. 16 Mar. 2009 .

Arnold, Craig. " Journal of San Diego History." San Diego Historical Society. 16 Mar. 2009 .