Western Flyer—the 77-foot fishing boat John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts took on their famous 1940 trip to the Sea of Cortez—recently returned to Monterey Bay after nearly a decade of restoration in Port Townsend, Washington. Built in 1937 to serve the commercial fishing industry and presently moored in Moss Landing, California, the Western Flyer will be welcomed back after a 75-year absence on November 4, 2023, with a day of family-friendly festivities around Cannery Row and Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Plans include live music, science and art activities, giveaways, merchandise for sale, and plenty of photo opportunities. The Western Flyer will then return to a life of research and education, and once again ply the waters of Monterey Bay and beyond. All this is the result of the vision of the marine biologist-businessman John Gregg, founding board member of the nonprofit Western Flyer Foundation.
Gregg purchased the boat, which had sunk several times over the decades, in 2015, launching the Western Flyer Foundation to save the severely damaged vessel and recruiting the Port Townsend Shipwrights Cooperative for the job. After eight years of labor, the vessel recently received a Classic Boat Award for its restored presence and sea-worthiness. Though the Western Flyer “gained notoriety from its research trip with John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts, it’s had a long and storied past as a fishing boat,” Gregg said. “Now restored with a hybrid diesel-electric engine and state-of-the-art marine lab, the Western Flyer symbolizes a bridge linking Monterey Bay’s commercial fishing heritage with its leadership in marine science and education.” Gregg said the foundation’s vision is for the revitalized Western Flyer to stir curiosity by “connecting art and science in the spirit of John Steinbeck, Ed Ricketts, and their journey [recounted by Steinbeck and Ricketts in Sea of Cortez, 1941]. The foundation’s tide-pooling, classroom teaching, and on-board programs will introduce students to a renowned coastal ecosystem that many have experienced only indirectly, or not at all.”
November 4 activities begin at 11:00 a.m. and include a welcoming ceremony at the end of Old Fisherman’s Wharf, a boat parade, and tours of the Western Flyer, all free. On hand for the festivities will be the Alaska artist and Guggenheim Fellow Ray Troll, who created the colorful mural panels at the former facility of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) overlooking Steinbeck’s Great Tide Pool in Pacific Grove. The Center for Ocean Art, Science and Technology (COAST)—a nonprofit organization, like the Western Flyer Foundation—seeks to preserve Troll’s work while converting the NOAA building into a research center blending art and science. A fan of John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts, Troll put the Western Flyer in the picture when he painted the historic mural.
Photo of Western Flyer courtesy National Fisherman magazine.
About Steve Hauk
I’m so glad to see that the Western Flyer has been restored and is returning to Monterey where its journey to the Sea of Cortez began. To me it’s a reminder of time past but also of hopes and good memories that are still to be made. Now we can see it and touch it and be inspired by those who took
a risk taking that long trip to Mexico. It was an adventure memorialized in Steinbeck’s book and perhaps the restored Western Flyer will inspire others to take on their own adventure.
Very enjoyable, John Steinbeck would be very proud that his friend Ed Rickets boat and featured in his book Sea Of Cortez, Western Flyer is returning back to Monterey is truly a miracle, better boats have been demolished. It took a foundation of caring people to make this happen. It would great if a foundation would be formed to help save the Mural of this great boat and other creature at the former facility of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that overlooks John Steinbeck’s Great Tide Pool in Pacific Grove before someone builds a Mac Mansion or hotel replaces it.
Thanks for the story, Steve. It’s been a long time in the making but we’re all looking forward to the celebrations.next weekend.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the return of the Western Flyer to Monterey Bay on November 4-5!
The Western Flyer is the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts used during their remarkable cruise made famous in his novel Sea of Cortez. Newly restored to beyond its former glory, the Western Flyer will be escorted by other vessels into Monterey Harbor on Saturday, November 4. Numerous activities are planned by the Western Flyer Foundation and details for the weekend’s activities can be found here: Western Flyer Celebration.
On Sunday November 5, COAST (Center for Ocean Art, Science & Technology) will continue celebrating the Western Flyer’s return by conducting two walking tours that will include the Ray Troll Mural at 1352 Lighthouse Ave (the former NOAA building).
Short Tour – A short guided walking tour (~1.2 miles):
• 12:30 meet at Point Pinos Lighthouse for a presentation on the Lighthouse history
• 12:45 short walk to 1352 Lighthouse Ave where world-renowned artist Ray Troll will discuss his beautiful mural
Walkers will have the option to continue along the Point Pinos Heritage Tour with a self-guided map, including a visit to the Great Tidepool nearby.
Long Tour – For the more adventurous walkers in the crowd (~2.5 miles*):
• 10:00 meet at Ed Ricketts Pacific Biological Laboratory on Cannery Row beside the Aquarium
• 10:15 following a short presentation, walkers will continue on a guided walking tour to Hopkins Marine Station and Lovers Point before reaching the Point Pinos Lighthouse to join the 12:30 short tour
* Please be sure you are up for completing this long tour in the allocated time.
Our walking tours are designed to connect the rich histories of Steinbeck and Ricketts, the Western Flyer, the Point Pinos Lighthouse Reservation, and the Ray Troll mural with its panel commemorating the famous vessel.
Both tours are free as a thank you to COAST supporters:
For those supporters wishing to contribute to our mission of bringing ocean-based art, science, and technology to our community, COAST will gratefully accept your donations.* Those making donations greater than $50 will receive COAST’s beautiful new customized t-shirt featuring the Western Flyer panel from Ray Troll’s mural.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there!
COAST Steering Committee
For more information email info@coastmontereybay.org