The Maritime Museum of San Diego plans to permanently close the Surprise to visitors Aug. 1, 2027.

SAN DIEGO — The HMS Surprise may be sailing into retirement as the Maritime Museum of San Diego plans to permanently close the Surprise to visitors Aug. 1, 2027. The ship has been a part of the museum’s fleet since 2004.

The Maritime Museum reports that the decision was made after an assessment by a certified marine surveyor, leading the museum’s board of directors and leadership team to conclude that retaining the ship in its fleet is no longer financially viable. 



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Built in 1970 and originally named HMS Rose, the HMS Surprise is a replica of the original Rose, an 18th century, 24-gun British frigate used to police smuggling in Newport, Rhode Island. 

The decision to close the Surprise to visitors is final and the museum leadership has decided not pursue a fundraising campaign to reverse it.

“I think a lot of people will be sad to see her go… The museum is looking towards financial stability and we really need to make financial decisions for the museum’s best interest,” Christina Connett Brophy, president and CEO of the Maritime Museum, said. 

The museum aims to instead prioritize fundraising for maintenance on its more active tall ships. The Maritime Museum is planning a major expansion with its upcoming Gateway Project, which seeks to create an onshore building along the Embarcadero to house its educational programs. The project could cost up to $60 million.

In preparation for the project, the museum had assessments performed on all its major vessels to determine how much they would cost to maintain.

In 2001, the Surprise was sold to 20th Century Fox and underwent modifications for the film “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” starring Russell Crowe. In the film, the tall ship portrayed the original HMS Surprise. 

The Maritime Museum told CBS 8 it hopes to bring new life to the Surprise and looks to sell it. Connett Brophy said she hopes the ship can be returned to its movie-star days.