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Sail Oc can Blue In Historic BanjuentineSAN DIKGO — As the three masted sailing ship comes into view, the red andblue patterned foresails give a first im press ion of a Viking vessel. The captain's firm handshal e and accented greeting reinforce this idea, since Cap tain George Falkesgaard. owner of the California, is a true Dane.His ship is an authentic barquentine, built in 1935 at Vallejo, California, but rigged in the same manner as was used in the 1850 s (without mechanical de vices). The ship in motion ts a romantichistory lesson, but with the pleasant diversions of warming sunlight, cool breezes and a gentle rocking.Much discussion is traded among the crew on the finer points of setting the sail, all in the most formal manner.Since coming to San Ihego recently, the 90-foot ship, certified for 49 passengers and a seven man crew, has served as a private charter boat. Included in accessories are a public address system for music and a serving galley/dining salon.Moored adjacent to the Islandia Hyatt House, on San Diego s Mission Bay, the California sails on full or halfday cruises off the coast of Southern Califor nia and Mexico. The ship has permission from the U.S. Coast Guard to operate from Point Descanso. north of Fnsena da, Mexico, to Point Conception, northof Monterey, and 20 miles off the coast including Catalina.Lunch cruises, evening hour and cock tail cruises from Mission Bay to San Diego Harbor are all among the ship’s itinerary A two hour cocktail cruise has so far proven the most popular item, but the California's repertoire will also soon include a wedding on board. This is justthe latest facet of the California's 41-year history.The California raced in the 1936 Trans Pac from Los Angeles to Tahiti ( a triptotaling six *o seven weeks in those days). The original owner, a doctor, then used the ship from 1936 until 1939for circumnavigation of the worldWith the outbreak oi World War II, the vessel was commissioned by the U S Navy for service in the Solomon Islands Speculation has it that it was the Wackiest Ship in the Navy all over again. The California's outstanding characteristics must have made it useful as a disguised trading vessel, for coast watchers and submarine lookoutpatrol.After the war, four ex Navy men took the ship around the world from 1948 to 1953. The boat served 18 months as ageological survey ship in the Solomon Islands and then was made into an albaeore fishing boat.In 1956, three teenagers in Hawaii pirated the ship and soon ran it aground on a reef off Honolulu. A reconditioning at the cost of $100,000 was given the ship, bringing it up to requirements for Coast Guard certification The Califor nia was then used by Larry Briggs as the cornerstone of a fleet of charter ships in Hawaii.During this period the California was used as the lead ship of the television series Adventures in Paradise lt;1959 61), starring Troy Donahue, and the late 1950 s Standard Oil television show Captain David Grief,” starring Maxwell Heed It also appeared in the movies Hawaii” (1966), starring Charleton Heston, and Devil at Four O'Clock (I960), starring Frank Sinatra and Spencer Tracy.Sold to its current owners in March of 1975, the California was berthed in Marina del Key before its most recent moveto San Diego.For charter and price information, contact Scandinavian Navigation and Charter Company, 959 Felspar, Suite 3J. San Diego, CA 92101.
Newspaper Details
Orange County Register
Orange, California, US
Sun, Aug 08, 1976
Page 164
Full Page
Clipped by
Rutherford B.
OH, USA 15 Feb 2022
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