Newport Harbor’s ‘Mascot’ Launched Anew

It has been sunk nine times. It once tried to wrest the antlers off the Pavilion Queen in a tug-of-war. On another occasion, it led an attempt to scare off a Russian trawler. Past captains (though they call themselves admirals) include actor Denver Pyle and cartoonists Virgil Partch and Dick Shaw.

Saturday afternoon, a brand-spanking newly refurbished SS Michigan, unofficial Newport Harbor mascot and leader of the annual Character Boat Parade, was unveiled with considerable hoopla: The Newport Harbor High band played; thousands of red, white and blue balloons were released; champagne flowed, and (though many thought gin more appropriate) a bottle of same was cracked across the ship’s bow.

The new owners, Jim Dale (in an admiral’s uniform and shorts) and his 5-year-old son Alexander, sailed with other members of the Dale clan across from the South Coast Boat Yard to Dale’s restaurant, the Villa Nova, where fans of the odd-looking little ship shared their reminiscences.