Not far from Mission Beach the Maritime Museum of San Diego, (1492 North Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA) is building a full-sized, fully functional, and historically accurate replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s flagship, San Salvador. Plans didn’t actually exist so they used old sketches, paintings and written documents to find the dimensions and proportions of the sailing ship. Many of the ship builders are volunteers and they are relearning ship building techniques that haven’t been used for over a hundred years. The build site is open to visitors every day from 11am to 4pm. Paul Andreen and I arrived a bit early and Paul managed to talk our way in by explaining what I do.
In 1542, Juan Cabrillo led the first European expedition to explore what
is now the west coast of the United States. The Gulf of California had
recently been explored by Francisco de Ulloa, Hernando de Alarcón and
Domingo del Castillo, proving that California was not an island. Cabrillo was commissioned by Pedro de Alvarado, Governor of
Guatemala, for a voyage up the California coast under the flag of
Spain. Cabrillo hoped to find the fabulously wealthy cities known as
Cibola, believed to be somewhere on the Pacific coast beyond New Spain,
and a route connecting the North Pacific to the North Atlantic — the
non-existent “Straits of Anian”.
The Cabrillo expedition sailed out of the port of Navidad, near
modern day Manzanillo, on June 24, 1542. Accompanying Cabrillo were a
crew of sailors, soldiers, Indian and probably black slaves, merchants,
a priest, livestock and provisions for two years. Three ships, the
flagship San Salvador built by Cabrillo himself, were under his command. Cabrillo reached “a very good enclosed port” which is now San Diego
bay, on September 28, 1542, naming it “San Miguel”. He probably
anchored his flagship, the San Salvador at Ballast Point on
Point Loma’s east shore. Six days later, he departed San Diego sailing
northward and exploring the uncharted coast line of California. His
voyage helped to dispel myths and allowed Spain to proceed with the
task of colonizing the expanded Spanish Empire. Cabrillo visited many
of the islands along the coast — Santa Cruz, Catalina and San
Clemente, and may have sailed as far north as Oregon.
On December 21st the Maritime Museum will Celebrate its 44th annual Parade of Lights. Modern and historic ships are covered in Christmas lights and the floating parade can be seen from the Maritime Museum. Ticket sales help keep the historic reconstruction work going.