The Star of India sailed today to commemorate her 160th anniversary. Three ships: the San Salvador, the Californian and the Bill of Rights joined her in a companion sail.

The Star of India, built in 1863 on the Isle of Man, is the world’s oldest active sailing ship and the flagship of the San Diego Martine Museum. She circumnavigated the world 21 times and ended her career hauling Alaskan salmon to California.

The San Salvador was the first recorded European vessel to sail the coast of Southern California. This replica was built at Spanish Landing and completed in 2015.

The Californian was built at Spanish Landing in the 1980’s to sail in the Tall Ship Regatta for the Los Angeles Olympics. In 2003 it was designated the official tall ship of California.

The Bill of Rights was built in 1971 and is replica of an 1850s Grand Banks schooner and is not owned or operated by the Maritime Museum.

The Hōkūle’a, a double hulled, deep-sea voyaging canoe also sailed with us.

She was built in Honolulu and launched March 8, 1975 and San Diego is the final US stop on it’s Moananuiākea voyage – a 43,000 mile, 47 month trip circumnavigating the Pacific Ocean.

It was a beautiful day to be out on the water.

As we returned to dock, the setting sun made everything a bit more magical.