Kenichi Horie

Kenichi Horie, standing on the deck of the Mermaid, arriving in San Francisco in 1962.

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Kenichi Horie is regarded as one of Japan’s most famous yachtsman. He is the first known man in history to make a non-stop solo crossing of the Pacific Ocean.

At just 23-year-old, Horie sailed his 19-foot black plywood sloop, the Mermaid, from Osaka, Japan to San Francisco, California on a solo sailing yoyage. His arrival through the Golden Gate on Sunday, August 12, 1962 was entirely unannounced. He had, in fact, left Japanese waters without any form of official clearance on May 12th, 1962. After sailing alone for 94 days, he arrived in San Francisco with no passport, no money, and little knowledge of English. Horie was briefly arrested, but Mayor George Christopher saw to it that he was released and presented with a visa and the key to the city.

In Kenchi Horie's book Koduko: Sailing Alone Across the Pacific, he says, "The crew matters the most," (p. 30) so when he set out to cross the Pacific Ocean he chose the best crew he could—himself. Just himself. When asked why he crossed the Pacific Ocean, he replied simply, "Well, I crossed it because I wanted to" (p. 15).

 

Horie later donated the Mermaid to the Maritime Museum, along with a commemorative tray on which the following is transcribed:

"I would like for you - the people of this beautiful City of San Francisco, the City that I shall remember as the one that made my youth such a colorful event - to accept my most loved one, "The Mermaid." My entire youth was spent in carrying on a conversation with her. She was the one who gave me courage when I was lonely and weak. She is a lonely heart, too. I tried to encourage her when she was depressed by talking to her about the Golden Gate Bridge that she had longed to see. Both of us were tied together strongly by trusting each other with the impatience of young lovers. The two of us left Nishinomiya Port on the night of May 12, 1962. Putting entire confidence in the strength of this little lover of mine, we set sail into the vast ocean ahead of us...It is unbearable for me, now, to leave her behind in a foreign country. It pains my heart terribly to think that she is left behind alone. You will please be kind to her. Please be kind to my tired lover; please be good to her. Although she may look a bit unpainted and pale, I don't doubt that she is most serenely contented inside. She is injured all over, but she is immersed in the memories of her 94 days on high seas. Will you please speak to her, this lonely heart, when you are moved to do so. And will you please listen to her talk about the stars, the waves and the skies over the Pacific Ocean. And recall for a short moment, if you will, the deed of a young Japanese, who loved the yacht and the United States of America." (SAFR Catalog 3708)

Horie's ship and the commemorative tray are both on display at the Maritime Museum in the main lobby.

 

Six decades after making history with the Mermaid, Kenichi Horie set sail once again on a solo voyage across the Pacific Ocean, this time in the opposite direction. Horie left San Francisco in a 19-foot sloop, the Suntory Mermaid III, on March 26, 2022 heading for Nishinomiya in Osaka Bay. He completed his journey after 69 days and 4,500 nautical miles. At 83 years old, Horie had made another record, now as the oldest man to have completed such a journey solo.

Visit the Maritime Research Center's collection of items related to Kenichi Horie's voyage to learn more. Our relationship with Mr. Horie began with his historic voyage to our city, arriving in San Francisco on Sunday, August 12, 1962, and our staff working in Collections are honored to preserve and make available for research the many items associated with Mr. Horie.