The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is pleased to present the May offering of its Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series, “Butcher Boy and the First Defense of the Lipton Cup” featuring Dr. Raymond Ashley, CEO and President of the San Diego Maritime Museum. Dr. Ashley will dive into the narrative surrounding the beloved sailboat Butcher Boy and its important role in shaping the history of Southern California.
Throughout his lecture, Dr. Ashley will unravel the mysteries of a long-ago race and the sailboat Butcher Boy, sharing the story about competition between San Diego and Los Angeles, and how a cast of powerful San Diego personalities with competing visions, (including Edward W Scripps, John Spreckels, George Marston, and Charles “Boss” Hardy) imagined the community of San Diego.
The SBMM Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series is sponsored by Marie L Morrisroe.
Missed our last Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series? Watch our previous lectures.
About the Speaker
Dr. Ray Ashley grew up in San Diego, becoming the President/CEO of the San Diego Maritime Museum in 1995. He holds a BA in anthropology from UC San Diego, an MA in maritime history and museum studies from East Carolina University, and a PhD in history from Duke University.
Ashley has sailed for most of his life, spending his senior year in high school on the schooner Westward, and is a licensed captain. Additionally, he is the Star of India’s navigator and frequently has the chance to sail other vessels from the Museum’s active fleet, including the State tallship Californian; steam yacht Medea; swift boat PCF 816; Pilot; and most recently, the galleon San Salvador.
In 2014, Ashley was recognized with lifetime achievement awards for the construction of the galleon San Salvador. By both the Maritime Alliance in San Diego and the International Maritime Heritage Alliance. Additionally, for this effort, Ashley was knighted in 2016 with the rank of Knight Commander, Order of Isabella La Catholica by direction of his majesty, King Felipe VI of Spain. He lives in Chula Vista with his wife.