Strike a pose at the helm of HMS. Surprise just like Russell Crowe as Captain "Lucky Jack Aubrey." The ship used in the academy award winning film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World found a permanent home at the Maritime Museum of San Diego in 2004. HMS Surprise is a magnificent replica of an 18th century Royal Navy frigate. HMS. Surprise is a 179-foot full rigged ship. Her designers and builders made a painstaking effort to recreate a 24 gun frigate of Great Britan's Nelson era Royal Navy. The result is a replica vessel unmatched in its authenticity and attention to detail. Originally christened H.M.S. Rose when she was launched in 1970, she served as a sail training vessel operating out of several East coast ports for over 30 years. The museum acquired the ship in October, 2004 and has restored her to seaworthy condition. She was sailed 4 times in 2007 and will be sailing several times a year, frequently along with the Star of India and Californian.*