Dear Shipmates:
It’s difficult to believe, as I write this, that this is my 30th and final year-end appeal letter.
Those years have seemed to pass in a flash, but it’s a flash densely packed with challenges and accomplishments. We’ve had a recession, a global pandemic, an ever more difficult regulatory environment in which to operate, and the never-ending spiral of increased expenses for virtually everything having to do with taking care of old ships. On the other hand, we’ve been able to establish award-winning educational programs that have served hundreds of thousands of children, and to publish what has been for decades the only academic peer-review historical journal devoted to maritime history in the United States. We acquired, restored, and put into service a 1914 pilot boat, a Vietnam-era Swift boat, the State of California’s official tall ship, a full-size replica of an 18th century sailing man-of-war, a sprite little schooner, two Monterey fishing boats (which need restoring again, alas), and not one but two submarines (though we kept but one of them). We’ve had two ships awarded National Historic Landmark status, two others placed on the National Register of Historic places, and two more in process of nomination. We restored and sailed the Butcher Boy, San Diego’s oldest workboat and oldest yacht, even placing well in local regattas. We sailed the the Star of India 35 times including, most recently, this last November.
We’ve created almost 90 exhibitions from Ironclads to the current Art of Navigation, including one (Three Voyages to Paradise) which went on to show with acclaim at the Getty, the Bowers, and the Autry museums. Our Museum researched, designed, built, and commissioned a full-scale replica of a Spanish galleon, Cabrillo’s ship of discovery, and to date have sailed her more than seven thousand miles to ports throughout California and Mexico, where tens of thousands of visitors have walked her decks for a glimpse into an exotic maritime world of almost 500 years ago. Collections have grown exponentially in number and value. As of this writing, we are poised for the next great phase in our development: the creation of an entirely new facility and mooring arrangements for our ships, showcasing them properly for the amazing and magical things they are.
It goes without saying that all of these accomplishments and many more drew upon the dedicated and tireless efforts of volunteers and staff. They have also depended utterly on the generous contributions of our member and donors, some of whom also happen to be volunteers and staff. All of those contributions of time, expertise, and treasure have been an investment in the life of our community. While they may convey stories and experiences of the past, they are really directed to our future as the expression of our community’s most singular attribute: our relationship with the sea.
All good stories are composed of many chapters, and we are about to start a new one. As chapters follow one after the other, no chapter copies its predecessor, but neither does it erase it. They all add to the growing tale that will take us to places we can barely imagine.
One thing does always hold true though, through every chapter, and that is the undying generosity which makes the story even possible. It is in the spirit of the overall story that I wish to express my own gratitude for your generosity of the past 30 years and the years ahead, and my gratitude that I was able to share this chapter with you, the best shipmates one could ever hope for.
Fair winds,
