SF Rallies to Help Tallships
By Sharael Feist
Sept., 1999
The Indonesian tall ship Dewaruci sailed over 10.000 miles to partletpate In the San Francisco Gold Rush Sail which took place over the Fourth of July weeltend. When they set sail in Indonesia they feared they might not have enough supplies to last them through their journey, but felt It was Important enough to go anyway.
They arrived In San Francisco only to realize that, like most of the Tall Ships participating in the celebration, they would not be provided with the food they had hoped to receive.
Accordlng to Alison Healy, Producer for the Gold Rush Sail, the State of California originally promised financial support to buy food for the tall ships, especially since the event was part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the State of California.
“The State was unsuccessful in raising the money, so they withdrew their commitment In March,” said Healy. “But the Indonesians felt it was Important to participate in the event to boost the morale of their Navy crew. They also wanted to strengthen their relationship with the US and display their culture to America.”
The Sail Francisco Yacht Club heard about the dilemma and came to the rescue. They adopted the Dewaruci and provided them with a truckload of food, including meats and produce.
The yacht club also bused the crew from Pier 27 to the San Francisco Yacht Club where dinner of their choice-hamburgers, French fries and ice cream–awaited them.
“The food was very, very helpful to the crew,” said Nugroho Setyadle, Head of Information for the Consul General of Indonesia. “We appreciate what the yacht club has done for the ship.”
The Dewaruci hopes to arrive home to Indonesia by the end of September.