Star of India

Located in the Marine Museum on the San Diego waterfront is the Star of India. She is a square-rigged, steel hulled Windjammer. These ships hauled bulk cargo around the Horn for many years at the turn of the Twentieth Century before the days of steam.

It was a tough life working on these ships as they rounded Cape Horn. Men worked aloft in 50-70 mile per hour winds when temperatures were sub-freezing. Many crewmen were lost over the side or fell from aloft; it was hopeless to try to save them. Sometimes it would take 30 or more days to round the Horn westbound as the ships would gain Westing and then be blown back by the violent Cape Horn Storms.

It was cold and wet. The only way to dry your clothes was to sleep in them.

No wonder these sailors would enjoy a tot of rum!