San Salvador , so far...

I haven't taken a look at the progress lately but it seems they are still working on the upper structure before planking. The Maritime Museum of San Diego, who is building a full-sized, fully functional, and historically accurate replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s San Salvador capitana or flagship of the Spanish expedition which first explored the West Coast of the United States.

The Museum is still looking for donations to finish the build, though I think they will finish it anyway. The goal is $6 million and some of that is for running and caring for the ship. When I saw it last, they were finishing the interior. Though the ship is being built to replicate how they original type ship was built, they are also putting modern safety improvements in as well. There are steal bulk-heads so the ship will not flood like the originals could. Also there will be an engine and electronic navigation and lights. The Coast Guard mandates that, so they must incorporate those features.

The design is a Galleon design, which is similar to the Caravel design. Basically the hull is the same and the difference is in the rigging as is for all sailing ships. A Galleon has what we would call a ‘square’ rig verses a triangular sail design. There were no plans to build the ship so they used paintings and drawing to work out the size and shape, then a naval architect drew the plans.

To visit the site, on the western end of Harbor Drive in the Spanish Landing area you will find the ship. It is next to the bridge and you will see it from the road, actually that is a good spot to see it since you are up high.

San Salvador Village at Spanish landing
Site hours 11:00am - 4:00pm daily.