Dennis Holland’s Pilgrim of Newport ship comes home to visit today

Before Dennis Holland began restoring a boat called Shawnee next to his home, before his Newport Beach neighbors started to grumble about it and before the city pressured him to take the vessel apart in 2012, Holland built a 118-foot replica of a Revolutionary War-era ship.

That project came to fruition over 13 years in the yard of his home in Costa Mesa. As the ship progressed, his family even lived aboard it, renting out their house for income. The family later bulldozed the home to get the big ship on its way to water.

Holland dubbed the vessel the Pilgrim of Newport and launched it into Newport Harbor in November 1983.

With its full sails, organ in the salon and painted sign displaying its name, the Pilgrim earned Holland local fame. He used the ship as a charter until he sold it around 1997.

The Ocean Institute in Dana Point acquired the vessel in 2001 and renamed it the Spirit of Dana Point. Now, months after Holland’s death in May, the ship’s home port is receiving it again.

The erstwhile Pilgrim is expected to enter the harbor between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Friday, saluted by the Harbor Patrol.

The public can explore the decks Friday afternoon and Saturday at the Newport Sea Base, where there will also be “pirates,” a display of artifacts from the ship and a few of Holland’s refurbished classic cars.

His son Dennis Jr. is considering trying to rebuild the Shawnee.

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IF YOU GO

What: Dennis Holland’s Pilgrim of Newport (Spirit of Dana Point)

Where: Newport Sea Base, 1931 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Friday (the ship will depart at 4 p.m. for a short private cruise) and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Cost: Free