For those familar with Patrick O'Brian's series of Aubery-Marturin adventures this is no surprise but those who have not read them the H.M.S. Surprise is the name of the third book in the series. 
'No, I told them the Surprise was a capital ship, and that all was well.' 'So it is too, as long as the foretopsail holds. She is the bravest ship that ever swam.' (page 175)
Captain Aubrey commands many ships and Saturday I was able to board the Surprise in San Pedro as she was part of the Festival of Sail. The ship was at Berth: SP-73 across from the local fishing fleet.
Admission was free and there were fifteen vessels participating. The HMS Surprise was designed to replicate a 24-gun frigate of Admiral Nelson's Royal Navy.
It was used for thirty years for sail training and in 2002 was purchased and modified to appear in the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
The Maritime Museum of San Diego purchased the ship in 2004.
Length: 179'
Beam: 30'
Draft 13'
The tall ships will continue to San Diego
And will also go to Dana Point.
1 comment:
Sir,
I crew aboard HMS Surprise. We had a great time in San Pedro. We just arrived back at San Diego late last night.
I'm glad you had a good time. We are still refitting Surprise and this was our first time outside of San Diego. With this success, keep an eye out for us. There's more to come.
Brad Holderman
euterpetimes@yahoo.com
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