Argus to leave base on Tuesday

The tall ship Argus will soon depart the Newport Sea Base to undergo $1.5 million in repairs to become seaworthy again.

The ship will get an official send-off at 11 a.m. today from the sea base, 1931 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, and will leave with the help of a tug boat around 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Argus has hosted hundreds of Boy Scouts learning to sail, but the vessel was taken out of commission in early 2006 after a U.S. Coast Guard inspection showed wood rot and iron sickness, which can cause a ship to leak.

The newly formed Argus Foundation, including several former Sea Scouts, bought Argus on Thursday for $1 from the sea base and will work to raise the $1.5 million needed for repairs.

Argus will be repaired in Wilmington, Calif.

— Alicia Robinson