Star of India and Followers, 1976 U.S. Bicentennial Sail
Photo by Unknown, 7/4/1976
The Star of India and many followers on July 4, 1976, U.S. Bicentennial Sail, her first sail in 50 years. Launched in November 1863 as the Euterpe, she is the world's oldest active sailing ship. In 1926, she was sold to the Zoological Society of San Diego to be the centerpiece of a planned museum and aquarium. The Great Depression and World War II caused that plan to be cancelled, and it was not until 1957 that restoration began. She houses exhibits for the Maritime Museum of San Diego, is kept fully seaworthy, and sails at least once a year.