January 24 saw another spectacular afternoon maritime show, Canon Battles on San Diego Bay, sponsored by the San Diego Maritime Museum.

Four 19th-century tall ships roamed the bay firing smoke canons at each other to the crowd’s delight. Three of the ships — the Californian (California's official state tall ship), the Lynx, and the Amazing Grace — carried paid spectators and were boarded at the Maritime Museum. The HMS Surprise, a gorgeous replica of an 18th- century Royal Navy frigate that was used in the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, sailed in from the bay mouth at 1 p.m. and immediately found herself hotly pursued by the tiny but feisty schooner Amazing Grace. The Californian and the Lynx had a slow start, but once they got going, produced the most spectacular bangs with their canons. The battle could be seen from all along the Embarcadero from 1-4 p.m. The last show of this season was January 25. More information about Canon Battles on the San Diego Bay is available at sdmaritime.org.