While it was received by enthusiastic fans, it was also welcomed by ex-pats who protested its dark past. Both amnesty international and the U.S. Senate have documented cases of torture aboard the training ship at the start of the Pinochet dictatorship. The protesters want the Chilean Navy to apologize for what happened in the past.
"The truth has to come out, justice and possibly reparations, indemnifications for the folks that actually lost their lives," said Hector Mendez, a protester.
The protesters want the ship to teach the public about its secret history. The captain of the Chilean vessel did not want to comment to ABC7 about the controversy. The tall ship is docked at Pier 29 and is open for tours until Saturday.
