Barquentine California
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The Barquentine California was a barquentine ship measuring 83 feet. It was designed by Al Mason in 1927 while he was still in high school.
During World War II, it was a Navy vessel in the South Pacific. After sailing around the world in the late 1940s and early 1950s, it was used as a prop and later used as a prop in Adventures in Paradise and the film Hawaii. In the early 1980s it was put into service as a whale watching ship out of the San Diego, California harbor, captained by Edward Barr.
On February 15, 1981, while returning to port during a heavy fog, the ship ran aground on Point Loma. The crew and all passengers were able to wade safely ashore, but the boat was heavily damaged by rocks and waves. For five days, the ship was pounded by damaging waves as the tide came and went. Salvager Glen Couch of Rask Shipyards in Coronado succeeded in freeing the heavily damaged boat. Air bags used to refloat her ruptured and she sank into 40' of water. A week later she was brought up and taken to the shipyard where she was touted as repairable.
This actually was not the ship used in the movie, Hawaii. The Brigantine Romance was used in this movie.
The Brigantine Romance started her life in the Ring Anderson Shipyard, designed for the Greenland trade. In 1965 she was purchased to be used in Mitchener's movie Hawaii. Rerigged by Commander Alan Villiers, she became a faithful re-creation of an 1800s vessel. After her stint in the movie, she was laid up, awaiting a new owner. Captain & Mrs. Kimberly were looking for a vessel to call home. When they found out about the brigantine in Hawaii, it did not take long to make the deal. They had found a vessel that would serve them and their guests well for many years.
1936 Grethe built 1965 Movie "Hawaii" 1966 Kimberly's purchase Romance 1967 1st Virgin Island Season 1971 Galapagos Cruise 1975-77 1st World Cruise 1978 Pitcairn Island 1980-81 2nd World Cruise 1983 Grenada Crisis 1984 Quebec Parade of Sail Hurricane Klaus 1986 Romance's 50th Anniversary Romance's 20th Cruise Year Movie "Pieter von Schulton" 1989 Movie "Amazing Grace" Romance sold 1996 ex Romance scuttled MOVIES QUEMADA FOG LADY OF THE SEA TV Films American Adventure Virgin Quest Dutch Piracy in the Caribbean Atlantic Realm Tall Ship on the Spanish Main TV Commercials Old Spice (3) Cutty Sark (2) Dortmunder Beer
Over the years, the 90' Romance (110' overall) completed two world circumnavigations and at least five separate trips to the South Pacific. They spent twenty plus years carrying guests in the Virgin Islands and on Down-Island trips. Capt. Kimberly, who holds the unique distinction of dual Master's papers, Master of Sail and Master of Steam, ran a tight ship, teaching his crew the art of marlin spike seamanship and a love of square rigged sailing ships. Many of his crew went on to become Masters in their own right, sailing aboard some of the greatest sailing ships on the sea today. If you do a search for the Romance on the net, you'll meet some of these amazing people.
Mrs. Kimberly, Gloria, was always at Skipper's side, dividing her time between sail handling, ship maintenance and caring for crew and guests. From a galley not much larger than a closet, came a steady flow of great meals. She shopped the local markets and provided meals that were both delicious and hearty. Throughout her travels, she continued to take notes and draw the amazing things they saw in over 25 years of exploration. She is now in the process of writing a book on the Romance, an odyssey of years of travel aboard a very special ship. The story of her and Skipper, the way they met and their wedding in the South Pacific itself seems like the stuff of dreams.....but all true.
One can not help but admire their life of dedication to the Romance and the incredible experiences they had during their world and South Pacific Cruises. Today in the sterilized world of cruise ships and antiseptic accommodations demanded by pampered travelers, the Romance stood in stark contrast. The care, maintenance and sailing of a square-rigged vessel is nothing short of Herculean. The Kimberlys took the back-breaking work in stride. They fought unbelievable battles against Mother Nature and came out all but unscathed.
The Romance was a true working vessel of the 1800s. No plastic parts or mechanized amenities. That was they way they wanted it to be. Hemp and canvas, not nylon and plastic. Passengers stepped onto the deck and into a time machine that would change their lives. The Romance was comfortable and sound. She visited ports-of-call that today would be nearly impossible to visit, including repeated visits to Pitcairn Island where the Kimberlys and crew became close friends with the descendants of the Bounty.
Today the Romance lies submerged, scuttled after being severely damaged by hurricane Luis. There will never be another Romance. I could have told you about technical specs and cruises, but to me, the essence of the Romance was the spirit. All who sailed aboard as guests and the hardy young crew who learned the ropes aboard this ship would likely agree. I look forward to buying a copy of the book that Gloria is writing. It will tell all in her wonderful descriptive and expressive style; say all and be the final word on the life of a truly extraordinary ship.
For an exceptional history of the BRIGANTINE ROMANCE, written by Capt. Dan Moreland, visit his article on the August Reunion at the American Sail Training Association website.
http://www.squaresail.com/romance.html
