Topsail Schooner Californian

Object/Artifact

-

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Name/Title

Topsail Schooner Californian

Entry/Object ID

Q2003.2

Description

Replica of a mid-nineteenth century revenue cutter

Collection

Museum Vessel Collection

Made/Created

Artist

Dana Point Historical Center

Manufacturer

Dana Point Historical Center

Date made

1984 - May 29, 1984

Place

Point of Interest

Spanish Landing

City

San Diego, CA

County

San Diego County

Region

Southern California

State/Province

California

Country

USA

Continent

North America

Ocean

California Coast, West Coast of North America, Eastern North Pacific Ocean, North Pacific Ocean, Pacific Ocean, World Ocean

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Tertiary Object Term

Schooner

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Ship, Sailing

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Ship

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Watercraft

Nomenclature Class

Water Transportation Equipment

Nomenclature Category

Category 07: Distribution & Transportation Objects

Search Terms

Seachest, Californian

Material

Wood

Web Links and URLs

Wikipedia

Interpretative Labels

Label

The topsail schooner Californian was constructed at Spanish Landing near Point Loma and launched from the US Coast Guard Air Station on San Diego Harbor on May 29, 1984. She is a faithful replica of the revenue cutter C.W. Lawrence that patrolled the waters of coastal California during the Gold Rush era. Californian is the official tall ship for the State of California. The combination of a fore and aft rig and square sails was popular for coastal trade vessels in the United States in the first half of the nineteenth century. They combined speed with the ability to sail close to the wind, or respond efficiently to changeable coastal sailing conditions, all with a relatively small crew compared to square riggers. Today Californian is an integral part of the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s education program, providing opportunities for children to learn of the state’s maritime past, particularly during the Gold Rush of the 1850s. She also cruises regularly on San Diego Bay, and periodically to the Channel Islands. She is maintained and sailed by a dedicated crew of volunteers and museum staff.