The iconic Western Flyer, the vessel celebrated in John Steinbeck’s literary works, is scheduled to dock at the Maritime Museum of San Diego on March 26, 2025. This is a rare chance for the public to explore the 77-foot sardine seiner and learn about its significant history. The visit coincides with the 85th anniversary of Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts’ influential 1940 expedition to the Gulf of California, a journey that left a lasting mark on ecological research and conservation.
Constructed in 1937 by the Western Boat Building Company in Tacoma, Washington, the Western Flyer was originally built for the sardine fishery in Monterey, California. Steinbeck and Ricketts chartered the vessel in 1940 for a six-week expedition to the Sea of Cortez, where they collected marine specimens and documented their findings. This expedition was later immortalized in Steinbeck’s book, “The Log from the Sea of Cortez,” which combined his philosophical reflections scientific facts.
After its literary acclaim, the Western Flyer returned to commercial fishing along the Pacific coast, targeting sardines, perch, and crab. Over the years, the vessel changed hands multiple times and faced challenges, including near-disasters in 2012 when it sank twice in Washington’s Swinomish Channel.
In 2015, businessman John Gregg acquired the aging vessel, launching a seven-year restoration project aimed at returning it to its original 1937 condition. The restoration, handled by Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-Op in Washington, focused on using sustainably sourced materials and incorporating modern technologies, including a hybrid-electric propulsion system. The $7 million project turned the Western Flyer into a floating classroom and research vessel, fostering educational initiatives through the Western Flyer Foundation.
The upcoming San Diego visit is part of a larger West Coast tour. Before arriving in San Diego, the Western Flyer will make stops in Santa Barbara on March 20 and Long Beach on March 22, offering educational tours and community events at each location. Once in San Diego, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the vessel from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of the Maritime Museum’s general admission.
After its stay in San Diego, the Western Flyer will continue its journey to Ensenada on March 30 and La Paz on April 13, retracing parts of Steinbeck and Ricketts’ original route.
For more details on the Western Flyer’s schedule and educational programs, visit the Western Flyer Foundation’s official website.
