Silently making her way into the San Diego Bay in the early hours of June 7th, with billowing white sails bearing the red Christ’s Cross of Portugal… the tall ship Sagres emerged from a thick cover of fog…

The NRP Sagres is presently docked near the impressive collection of historic tall ships and submarines that encircle the San Diego Maritime Museum on Harbor Drive.  For the rest of the week, the public is invited aboard for free tours of this majestic  ship. The Sagres was built in 1937, and conjures up visions of an earlier era of wooden ships and high seas.  Tall ships  remain  romantic ambassadors of an earlier age of sail and exploration, with the Sagres  being one of the more impressive ships of her kind afloat. On Sunday, June 13th, Sagres will leave our bay and travel to Honolulu before continuing on around the world as a naval training vessel and a goodwill ambassador of Portugal.

While touring the ship on Monday, I was asked if I would like to share in a toast. We went below to the galley (dining/rec room) and I had the opportunity to enjoy a glass of fruited Portuguese wine and talk with several crew members. Some of the things they were most excited to ask about were the Padres, SeaWorld & the San Diego Zoo (of course!) Easy camaraderie and shared random moments with gracious hosts – I can say they’re the definition of goodwill ambassadors!

Our guide, Petty Officer José Costa of the Sagres

While the eastern coast of the the United States was primarily explored and settled by the British and French, The Portuguese and Spanish plied southern routes and were the first to explore our Pacific coast.  On September 28th, 1542, Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovered “a very good enclosed port” and called it San Miguel, which we now know as San Diego.  He likely anchored his flagship the San Salvador near Ballast Point, now Point Loma/Cabrillo National Monument. Point Loma is home to generations of Portuguese families, descendants of earlier expansions. The 100th Portuguese Festa was recently celebrated in Point Loma at the Portuguese Hall, with festivities and heart rivaling Portugal herself. It’s only natural, that with our rich Portuguese history, the San Diego Maritime Museum, and our own tall ship ambassadors, that the Sagres put in to port in San Diego!

Our city on the bay wouldn’t be the same without our maritime history. Thanks to the devoted efforts of the San Diego Maritime Museum, her tireless staff & enthusiastic volunteers, tall ships to submarines grace our bay. The museums latest, and perhaps greatest undertaking, will be the construction of an authentic replica of Cabrillo’s San Salvador, right along our waterfront! It will be a fully functional, full sized copy of the original ship, and serve as a living classroom for San Diego’s schoolchildren and visitors. When it’s  complete, the ship can travel along our coast as well as other ports, as an ambassador for San Diego.  An undertaking of this magnitude requires the support of the community for funding. Donations for the ‘San Salvador Campaign’ are much needed by the Museum to continue their efforts to keep San Diego at the top of North American maritime museums.

“Saudamos a Sagres e sua tripulação de San Diego!”

]]> http://sandiegosuncoast.com/2010/06/09/1937-portuguese-tall-ship-sagres-sails-into-san-diego/feed/ 1 http://sandiegosuncoast.com/2009/09/08/canon-shots-fired-as-the-lynx-attacks-the-san-diego-bay/ http://sandiegosuncoast.com/2009/09/08/canon-shots-fired-as-the-lynx-attacks-the-san-diego-bay/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:41:59 +0000 JT http://sandiegosuncoast.com/?p=9722

For centuries, the San Diego bay has enjoyed a rich and diverse maritime history. Since the arrival of Juan Cabrillo in the 1500’s, our storied bay has played host to vibrant sea trades, Naval  strongholds, fabled ships both young and old, fishing fleets, cruise ships and even Russian submarines. Why, it’s only fitting that the countries largest ‘floating museum’, the San Diego Maritime Museum, should also grace her shores. Home of the tall ships Star of India, Californian and the HMS Surprise-perhaps jealousy is what has prompted the outcast schooner Lynx to throw down the gauntlet?

“Things that go boom in the bay…”

Hard to starboard, cannon battles are back! Return to the days when tall ships reigned supreme during this once in a lifetime opportunity to come aboard. The Museum’s own Californian will take on the invading Lynx as she defends San Diego’s Bay. Three re-enactments will be taking place the last two weekends of the month, on September 19, 20, & 26. An experience of mayhem and daring not to be missed!

More of a tranquil sort? Then set sail on the Lynx (if the Californian doesn’t sink her), for the Cabrillo Festival Sail on September 27th.  Both the Lynx and the Californian will welcoming guests aboard as the festival celebrates the 467th anniversary of the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at Ballast Point in 1542.  This is a very popular event & space is limited. Check for ticket availability here.

“Have a real blast, get your tickets today!”

Image © Copyright SanDiegoSunCoast.com