Resailing 120 years of Korean immigration

Please help our sailing crew raise funds to trace back our Korean ancestors sails, bringing awareness of history of the long journey that Korean immigrants first embarked to America in 1903.

To commemorate a hundred twenty years of Korean immigration history to America, Mr. Jin Woo Nam, president of the "Korean American Yacht club" along with two other crew members, Mr. Do Yoo and Mr. SangHee Park, will be sailing across the Pacific ocean from Marina Del Rey, California, U.S.A. to Incheon, South

Korea. Charting the same route of those who once came to America aboard the RMS Gaelic on January 13th, 1903.

The immigration of Koreans to America started 120 years ago towards the end of Joseon Dynasty. Departing from Jemulpo Port, Incheon, 102 South Koreans sailed the RMS Gaelic. The passenger

and cargo liner arrived at Honolulu, Hawaii in 21 days which became the starting point of Korean

immigration to the United States. In the years that followed, some have stayed in Hawaii as laborers at sugarcane plantations while others have moved on to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Mr. Nam and the crew will be tracing back the immigrants to korea more than 120 years ago to remember the journey of hopes and dreams of a better life. The

difficulties and hardships endured will be relived through storms, trials, and seaworthy tales. We also hope to raise awareness the history of first the Korean

immigrants to America who made that journey with courage, faith, hope and dreams.

Mr. Jin Woo Nam, Mr. Do Yoo, and Mr. Sang Hee Park will be sailing to honor and pay homage to those Korean American immigrants on a 37 foot, 32,000 lbs, deep blue water sailing boat called “Ignatella.”

Tentatively scheduled to set sail (weather permitting) on February 25, 2023 from Marina Del Rey, California to Los Cabos, Mexico and turn westwards to Hawaii. The first leg of the trip will be

approximately 2,000 miles. Once in Hawaii, they are planning to visit the sugarcane plantation where

Korean immigrants once labored in sweat and tears. Other historical sites related to Korean American immigrants will also be visited and remembered as well. From Hawaii, it is about a 3,900 mile voyage to Guam or Saipan where Koreans have been sent to work during Japanese colonial period. Next, they will be make their

way neighboring Japan and arrive in Busan, South Korea. From there they will embark to their final destination

Incheon, South Korea.

Much like the first Korean immigrants to America, Mr. Nam and his crew’s journey will be a long and arduous endeavor. Donations and corporate sponsorships would be gratefully appreciated and will directly help to accomplish this historic and monumental journey. The funds will be used on expenses for this journey such as food, fuel, safety equipment and other necessary equipment for a safe voyage.