The Maritime Heritage Project.
Captains.
Dedicated to preserving San Francisco's Shipping History in the 1800s
° SEARCH
° GUESTS
° LOG/LISTS
° CAPTAINS
° VIPS
° SHIPS
° PORTS
° BOOKS
° NEWS
° HISTORY
° RESOURCES
° DONATIONS
° THANK YOU
° BIBLIOGRAPHY
° HOME





"Master Under God"
Captains exercised absolute authority at sea and so were dubbed "Master Under God"
by early insurance writs, agreements with ship owners and passengers and the Board of Trade.

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship.
The Annapolis Book of Seamanship

Shipbuilders, Sea Captains and Fishermen.
Shipbuilders, Sea Captains, and Fishermen: The Story of the Schooner Wawona
Joe Follansbee

To California by Sea by James P. Delgado.
To California by Sea:
A Maritime History of the California Gold Rush
James P. Delgado
In 1876, John C. Blethen shipped out as mate on the Peru and later made one voyage as her master.

Subsequently he commanded the Columbus for five years (1874-1879 est.), during which time he sailed from New York to San Francisco four times.

He then commanded the America for three years (1879-1881 est.) and the John Currier from 1882 through 1888.

The John Currier, at 235:8 feet, 1848 tons, was launched from Newburyport, Massachusetts in October 1882. Captain Blethen was one of the owners, along with Thayer & Lincoln of Boston and John Currier. The first two voyages of the Currier were between Atlantic ports and San Francisco, then she engaged in trade with China and Japan. She was a troubled ship, with mishaps, fires and a tornado in Hong Kong. She pulled through all and Captain Blethen continued sailing her until he retired in 1888.
To Top of Page


Page: http://www.maritimeheritage.org/blethenJC
Date Entered: Between 2002 and 2008
Source: Daily Alta California, Family Papers, Historical Records, Submissions from Researchers


Research and WebDesign: D.A. Levy
Contact: D.A. Levy
www.MaritimeHeritage.org
Post Office Box 2878
Sausalito, California 94966
U.S.A.