Dana Point, California: Two Years Before the Mast - Dana's Sailing Brig Pilgrim

Replica of the 1830s merchant brig Pilgrim, made famous by Richard H. Dana in his book "Two Years before the Mast") appeared in the film "Amistad."

Two Years Before the Mast - Richard H. Dana's Sailing Brig Pilgrim

A local fixture in Dana Point Harbor since 1981, this full sized replica of the merchant brig Pilgrim (made famous by Dana in his book "Two Years before the Mast") has been host to countless youngsters learning what shipboard life was like in the 1830s. Operated in conjunction with the Ocean Institute, this ship has served to educate and entertain, including an appearance in Steven Spielberg's film Amistad.

The original Pilgrim was active in the hide and tallow trade between New England and Spanish California. American trade ships from the east coast of the United States would bring finished goods such as shoes and clothing to California, and trade them for raw materials, principally cattle hides. One of the original stops for this exchange was what would later become Dana Point Harbor. Hides from the local ranchos and from Mission San Juan Capistrano (which is just up the road) would be tossed down the steep cliffs of the harbor to the beach and waiting trade ships below.

[Eric B. Ramey, 04/10/2012]