Californian (schooner)
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Type: | Topsail Schooner |
Hull: | Wood |
Built: | 1984, San Diego, CA |
Homeport: | San Diego, CA |
Designer: | Melbourne Smith |
Builder: | Jayford Hazell/Nautical Heritage Society |
Sparred Length: | 145 ft |
Length on deck: | 93.5 ft |
Beam: | 24 ft |
Draft: | 9.5 ft |
Rig Height: | 145 ft |
Displacement: | 129 t |
Sail Area: | 7,000 sq. ft |
Californian was built in 1984 as a replica of the revenue service cutter C.W. Lawrence which operated off the Californian coast in the 1850s. She is known as the "Official Tall ship Ambassador for the State of California",
A precursor to today's Coast Guard, the Revenue Cutter Service was responsible for securing the tax revenue and to relieve distressed merchant vessels, much as the United States Coast Guard operates today.
Originally commissioned by the Nautical Heritage Society, she's flown the Californian flag up and down the Californian coast and in ports ranging from Hawaii, Mexico, and the East Coast.
Recently acquired by the Maritime Museum of San Diego, she underwent a complete overhaul and has now returned to providing sail training and sea educational programs up and down the Californian coast.