Blog from the Sea of Cortez: The Steinbeck Head

After 50+ years of neglect and 6 months underwater, large parts of the Flyer were totally rotten and had to be replaced, but there is one part that is almost 100% original: the "Steinbeck Head." Yes, you too can sit where John Steinbeck sat 85 years ago!

The Steinbeck Toilet after 6 months on the bottom
and a bit of cleanup. Photo by Susan Shillinglaw.

Both the head and the toilet were in surprisingly good shape. The toilet was filthy, there was a crack in the porcelain base, the flapper valve was not functional, and some of the floor tiles were missing, but everything else was in excellent condition.

Captain Paul spend coutless hours cleaning the sludge from inside and outside of the toilet. The base was repaired with a bit of epoxy. 

The flapper valve assembly was replaced with a modern one, although the lever is original.

The original lever, cleaned up and still in use.
Photo by Phil Sconce.

The insides after cleaning. The float is not original,
but it has the same soldered construction. Photo by Phil Sconce.

The missing tiles were more of a challenge. We couldn't find exact replacements, but then Phil noticed that the toilet was actually sitting on top of some untouched tiles. He took the toilet off, carefully chiseled out enough of these hidden tiles to replace the missing tiles, bedded them in concrete, then put the toilet back on. 

The results are striking: the head looks pretty much exactly as it did 85 years ago! It's one of the favorite attractions on the boat.

The head as it looks today.
Photo by Sherry Flumerfelt

Despite the extensive restoration, hidden here and there are some
nearly untouched spots. Here's one: you can still see the barnacle marks on the
window from when Flyer was underwater. Perhaps you can find some others?