STAR OF INDIA
Why it's listed
Launched in 1863 at Ramsey, Isle of Man, as the full-rigged ship Euterpe, this 205-foot iron-hulled vessel first sailed in the India trade and later carried emigrants to New Zealand and Australia. In 1898 she was bought by a San Francisco firm and hauled lumber from Puget Sound to Australia. The Alaska Packers Association acquired her in 1901, renamed her Star of India, and reduced her rig to a bark so a smaller crew could handle her. Until 1923 she carried fishermen and cannery workers to the Alaska salmon fisheries. She was bought in 1926 as the nucleus of a maritime museum and restored in the early 1960s. She is the oldest iron-hulled sailing ship afloat and, with the Balclutha, one of the last survivors of the Alaska Packers' fleet. Her story reflects the expansion of the Alaska salmon canning industry. She is moored in San Diego and open to visitors.
Significance in brief: It is the oldest iron-hulled sailing ship afloat and the only surviving example of a bark type once common in the Alaska salmon fleet. It is one of two surviving vessels of the Alaska Packers' Association fleet of 1893-1920. The form ties it to the growth of the Alaska salmon canning industry.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000223, listed November 13, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | San Diego Embarcadero, San Diego |
|---|---|
| County | San Diego County |
| Listed | November 13, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000223 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1901-1923 |
| Architect / builder | Gibson, McDonald & Arnold |
| Areas of significance | Commerce |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 13, 1966 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, restored in the early 1960s as a bark, moored in San Diego and open to the public as a museum. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 32.72025, -117.17359 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000223.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1581178
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.