I can only assume that they ran afoul of the dreaded lee shore, which is surely the most awful thing in all creation.
Update to add the following information: It was built as an L.A. Maritime Museum training ship, Topsail Youth Program.
90 feet long, 4.450 sq, feet of sail. 88 ft tall rigging sail (mast?). Hand built in 2003 with traditional methods. Designed to resemble 1870-1910 ships. Cost 8-9 million dollars!!!
