Star of India to celebrate 151st birthday Sunday

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The Star of India’s 151st birthday will be celebrated Sunday at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

The world’s oldest active ship was built on the Isle of Man and launched as the Euterpe in 1863, according to the museum. It first served the India trade routes.

Museum officials say the Euterpe’s first two voyages included a mutiny, a collision, a cyclone and the death of the captain.

The vessel then began taking emigrants to New Zealand and, while doing so, circled the globe 21 times.

She was sold to American owners in 1898 and given its current name eight years later, the museum said.

With steam-powered ships coming into service, the Star of India was retired in Oakland. It was towed to San Diego in 1927, where a restoration project began in the late 1950s.

The renovated vessel sailed San Diego Bay for the first time in 1976, and is now taken out to sail about once a year, according to the museum.

Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., guests will receive complimentary cake and punch.

Admission to the museum is $16 for adults; $13 for seniors over 62, teens 13-17 and active military; and $8 for children. Babies and toddlers 2 and under are free.