The keel of a full-scale replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's flagship he used in 1542 when he sailed into San Diego Bay was laid today at Spanish Landing Park.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego is building the faux San Salvador, with an eye towards opening the exhibit this summer.
"The replica of the historic San Salvador ship will join the ranks of all the other cherished attractions that make San Diego such a wonderful place to visit and even better place to live,'' Mayor Jerry Sanders said.
"And like all the best attractions, the ship's value to the city will be multi-dimensional,'' said Sanders. "It will be a visually stunning addition to our waterfront. It will attract tourists. And it will be a rich educational resource.''
Cabrillo, who sailed from Portugal, was the first European to explore San Diego Bay, which he named San Miguel, and the coast of California.
The public will be able to go to the park to watch the construction of the fully functional ship, which will be used to travel along the California coast as an ambassador for the city.
