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NPS/Dale Dualan
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Contact: Dale Dualan, 415-561-7006
San Francisco, CA – Sixty years ago, a 23-year-old man from Japan, with no passport, no money, and little knowledge of English, realized his dream: fulfilling a solo voyage across the Pacific to pass what he considered the best finish line in the world- the Golden Gate Bridge. On March 22, 2022, San Francisco Maritime National Park Association, cooperating association of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, held a celebration event at the Maritime Museum to honor Kenichi Horie and his accomplishments.A proclamation was made at the event by San Francisco Office of the Mayor announcing March 23, “Kenichi Horie Day.”
The proclamation continues to enrich the long relationship between the Japanese sailing hero and the city, which began in 1962 when 23-year-old Horie sailed from Osaka to San Francisco – alone and non-stop – on the 19-foot sloop, Mermaid. This feat earned him a key to the city along with acclaim on both sides of the Pacific.
“Even in the states, yachtsmen are inspired by his story,” said Morgan Smith, Manager of Interpretation, Education and Volunteers at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. “He took a huge chance, being a young man alone on the ocean.”
Horie returned to San Francisco on two more voyages. He sailed from the city to Japan in 1999, on the Malt’s Mermaid II. In 2002, he sailed from Japan to San Francisco on the Malt’s Mermaid III. This boat, made of recycled whiskey barrels, is in the park’s collections; the original Mermaid is on exhibit at the Maritime Museum.
"It is an honor for San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park to host Mr. Kenichi Horie before he embarks on what will be another amazing journey across the Pacific,” said Bert Ho, Acting Superintendent of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. “Similarly, it is an honor to be trusted with the care of the many artifacts he has donated. We look forward to celebrating with him again in the future."
At the celebration event, Horie gave the museum another gift: a model of the Suntory Mermaid III. The 83-year-old sailor is in the city preparing for another solo trans-Pacific voyage – this time, from San Francisco to Nishinomiya. He will depart aboard the Suntory Mermaid III on Saturday, March 26. He plans to reach Japan in two-and-a-half months.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, includes a fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and the Aquatic Park Historic District. Visit the park online at http://www.nps.gov/safr; follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ SFMaritimeNPS; and join us on Facebook @ SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP.
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Last updated: March 25, 2022