Volunteer Falls to Death on Tall Ship

19th July 2010

A 68-year-old sailing volunteer fell to his death over the weekend from the yardarm of a tall ship. Gregory Vance Gushaw was preparing the Star of India, a 205-foot windjammer, to set sail when he slipped off his spot on the rigging, falling 50 feet and hitting a shroud before plunging into the water. Attempts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

The boat was docked in San Diego, where it is owned by the San Diego Maritime Museum, of which Gushaw was a trustee.

The Star of India is considered the oldest working sailing boat afloat, built in 1863 in the Isle of Man.

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