Restored Western Flyer fishing boat sets sail 85 years after historic Gulf of California trip

MONTEREY — Eighty-five years ago, to the week, the Western Flyer set sail for the Gulf of California. Amongst the crew were renowned author John Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts, taking on the journey that would inspire the book “The Log from the Sea of Cortez.”

On Sunday, the newly restored Western Flyer fishing boat began retracing its historic route, for the first time since 1940, on a three-month expedition slated to include science research, education and community outreach. Local scientists, educators and conservationists will team up to study the Gulf of California’s ecosystems, and brainstorm new ideas to protect the marine world.

John Steinbeck, shown here in 1960. (Monterey Herald archive)

The Western Flyer back in its prime. (Courtesy photo)

A historical photo of the Western Flyer being launched for the first time in Tacoma, Washington is on display at the Cannery Row Symposium in Monterey on Saturday February. David Royal – Monterey Herald

John and Andy Gregg purchased The Western Flyer and plan to return the boat to Monterey to promote ocean science. (Contributed)

Bob Enea holds a photo of the Western Flyer from its sea trials off Tacoma, Washington, between the boat s new owners, John Gregg, left and his brother, Andy Gregg, on Saturday during a break in the Cannery Row Symposium at Hopkins Marine Station in Monterey. Enea s uncle, Tony Berry, was the boat s captain when it sailed to the Sea of Cortez with John Steinbeck and Doc Ricketts. David Royal – Monterey Herald

The Western Flyer, the fishing boat taken by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts took on an expedition from Monterey to the Gulf of California that resulted in the book “The Log from the Sea of Cortez” returned to Monterey Saturday after a 70-year absence. (Kyarra Harris — Monterey Herald)

The Western Flyer fishing boat during the homecoming celebration in Nov. 2023. (Kyarra Harris/Monterey Herald)

Captain Paul Tate in the wheelhouse of the Western Flyer, now equipped with modern electronic navigation equipment in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

A sea turtle is inlaid with some of the Western Flyer’s original timber in the spot where an amusing passage in Steinbeck’s Log describes crewman Ratzi “Tiny” Colletto struggling to prepare a turtle for soup dinner. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

The Western Flyer galley features a photo of Ed Ricketts in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

The restored captain’s quarters aboard the Western Flyer in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

The engine room of the restored Western Flyer features a hybrid-electric engine in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

The Western Flyer cargo hold will be remade into an area where researchers can work, and equipment will be stored. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Two of the restored bunks aboard the Western Flyer in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

The Western Flyer docked in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940 in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

The wheelhouse of the Western Flyer, now equipped with modern electronic navigation equipment in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Captain Paul Tate, left, and John Gregg, Western Flyer Foundation Founder and Director, aboard the Western Flyer in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

The Western Flyer in Moss Landing, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The mast sports a set of deer antlers said to be good luck that John Gregg’s father had hunted when he was a boy. The Western Flyer is famous for being the fishing boat that John Steinbeck and his biologist friend Ed Ricketts used on an ecological adventure in 1940. Now, after being restored, it will return Saturday to Monterey for the first time in 75 years to begin a new life in science education. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

The Western Flyer made it from Washington to Moss Landing recently on its way home to Monterey. (Courtesy photo)

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John Steinbeck, shown here in 1960. (Monterey Herald archive)

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The Western Flyer Foundation will also be partnering with local organizations to host public events throughout California and Mexico.

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For three months, the Western Flyer will follow the original 1940 route while making stops along the California coast and throughout the Gulf of California.

The crew onboard will host public events, hands-on education and scientific research while engaging with people interested in the ocean and stories of researchers.

“This will be a truly special and one-of-a-kind event for Monterey,” said Sherry Flumerfelt, executive director of the Western Flyer Foundation in a press statement. “Back in 1940, the Western Flyer set sail with music, dancing, and a lively dockside send-off. We’re working with the Monterey Public Library and other local partners to bring that same energy back with a farewell party worthy of this legendary vessel.”

The expedition departed Old Fisherman’s Wharf at 3 p.m. Sunday.