Sea Captains: San Francisco 1800s

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Captain C. J. Fosen

September 1, 1893, San Francisco Call, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

SUSPENDED THEIR LICENSES.
Three Captains Laid Off by the Local Inspectors.

Two decisions were rendered by Local Inspectors of Steam Vessels E. S. Talbot and W. A. Phillips yesterday. One had reference to the steamer Newsboy striking the rocks near Point Conception early on the morning of August 2 last, and as a result of the investigation of that mishap the license of Captain C. J. Fosen as master and pilot is suspended for twenty days.

The damage to the Newsboy amounted to about $1500. She was on her way from Los Angeles to this port at the at the time and the weather was very foggy. The captain heard the fog whistle, but it was apparently at such a distance that he could nott distinguish clearly how it bore. He did not slacken his speed, and his course he changed from west by north to west.

In the opinion of the inspectors Captain Fosen should have immediately changed his course off shore, slowed up and taken soundings. By this means the mishap might have been averted.

The other decision was in respect to the collision which happened at 9 a. m. August 9 between the steamers Aurora and Apache at Collinsville, whereby the Aurora was damaged about $100.

Both steamers were bound down the Sacramento River, and the Apache passed the Aurora while the latter was lying at Tolando's Landing, and immediately afterward the Aurora left the wharf and soon overtook the Apache, coming up on the starboard side of her without giving any signal, so the Inspectors find, as required by rule 8 of the pilot rules and regulations.

It was further ascertained that the two steamers ran nearly side by side to Collinsville, the Apache's bow being a little ahead of that of the Aurora. The Apache was to make her usual landing at Collinsville and sounded her whistle, but in the positions the two steamers maintained it was impossible for her to do so unless either one of the steamers stopped.

The evidence shows that about the time the Apache gave her landing signal she crowded upon the course of the Aurora in violation also of rule 8.

Captain Jasper Stahl was Pilot of the Aurora and Captain Charles Thompson of the Apache. Both their licenses are suspended for five days.

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The Illustrated History of Nautical Maps and Navigational Charts
John Blake
The sea chart was one of the key tools by which ships of trade, transport and conquest navigated their course across the oceans. John Blake looks at the history and development of the chart and the related nautical map, in both scientific and aesthetic terms, as a means of safe and accurate seaborne navigation. This handsome work contains 150 color illustrations including the earliest charts of the Mediterranean made by thirteenth-century Italian merchant adventurers, as well as eighteenth-century charts that became strategic naval and commercial requirements and led to Cook's voyages in the Pacific, the search for the Northwest Passage, and races to the Arctic and Antarctic.

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The U.S. Coast Guard issues all Captain Licenses for U.S. Ports.
Note: Other countries have different regulations, i.e. the RYA (Royal Yachting Association), conducts certification for Britain and Ireland. As of 2011, they did not recognize the USCG certification; certification through their courses was required.

Master Unlimited is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of a vessel any gross tons. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws. All persons on board, including officers and crew, other shipboard staff members, passengers, guests and pilots, are under the captain's authority and are his or her ultimate responsibility. The STCW defines the Master as Person having command of the ship.

The Sea Chart
The Illustrated History of Nautical Maps and Navigational Charts

John Blake
The sea chart was one of the key tools by which ships of trade, transport and conquest navigated their course across the oceans. Herein is a history and development of the chart and the related nautical map, in both scientific and aesthetic terms, as a means of safe and accurate seaborne navigation. 150 color illustrations including the earliest charts of the Mediterranean made by 13th-century Italian merchant adventurers, as well as 18th-century charts that became strategic naval and commercial requirements and led to Cook's voyages in the Pacific, the search for the Northwest Passage, and races to the Arctic and Antarctic.

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