What is interesting about the museum

At the time of its opening in 1948, the museum focused on one historic vessel, the Star of India. Built in 1863, the Star of India made its maiden voyage on November 14 of that year. Over the years, the ship sailed from the UK to India and then to New Zealand.

After many difficult journeys, the ship went into retirement, where it was purchased by sailors. Currently, the ship is an official historical monument. Fully restored, it is lovingly serviced and floated at least once a year.

The San Diego Maritime Museum contains five permanent exhibits: The Age of Sail, The Age of Steam, Mapping the Sea, Harvesting the Ocean, and San Diego Navy. Exhibits document the rise and fall of the commercial fishery and how San Diego became the largest naval base in the Pacific.

Of interest is the exhibition "Tattoos and Scrimshaw: Marine Art", which explores the connection between tattoos and maritime service.

Of the eleven ships that make up the Maritime Museum, visitors can book tours of three of them.

The Maritime Museum is located on San Diego Bay, just 2 miles south of the international airport on North Harbor Drive. It is open daily from 9:00 to 21:00, except for some public holidays.

What to look at

The museum has four sailing ships on display:

• The Star of India is the oldest operating sailing vessel in the world, having sailed around the world more than 20 times;
• The California ship is the only official state ship. It is a replica of an 1847 model that once patrolled the coast during the gold rush;
• HMS Surprise is a meticulous replica of a 24-gun English frigate used in the movie Master and Commander;
• San Salvador — currently under construction in San Diego Bay, visitors can view construction in progress.

The 1898 Berkeley steamers and the 1904 Medea are also very important to the museum. Berkeley houses a museum, shop, event space and library.

Two submarines have made significant contributions to the museum:

• B-39 - Soviet-era diesel-electric submarine that played a major role in causing the Cuban Missile Crisis;
• USS Dolphin is the deepest submarine in the world. Still operational, now used primarily for testing and deep sea exploration.

The mission of the Maritime Museum is simple — it aims to be the custodian of San Diego's maritime heritage by preserving and telling history. A visit to the Maritime Museum will give you an experience that you can't get anywhere else.