Charles J. Brenham
Born November 6, 1817, Frankfort, Kentucky
As a teenager, he was master of one of a steamboat out of Natchez. When he arrived in New Orleans, the underwriters initially refused insurance because of his age. Even during his early years, he proved a competent commander. He left New Orleans on June 17th, 1849 for California.
Shortly after his arrival, he took command of the steamer McKim, running between San Francisco and Sacramento. In 1850, he was nominated by the Whig party as a mayoral candidate even though he had not indicated interest. He was defeated the first time nominated, but was nominated again and took interest in the position. On May 5, 1851, at age 33, Brenham took office.
During his term, a riot occurred because of Captain James "Bully" Waterman. Captain Waterman had rounded the Horn in the Challenge in a gale with a mutinuous crew. He and his First Mate beat them into submission and upon arrival in San Francisco those who took part in the mutiny were handed over to authorities. Others of the crew roamed the streets and waterfront bars telling stories of their harsh treatment aboard the Challenge. The newspapers picked up the story, fueld the flames, and about a thousand people assembled outside Alsop & Co., where Waterman and his First Mate were rumored to be holed up. They insisted that Captain Waterman be handed over to them.
When Brenham, he called for order from the Alsop Building steps, but the mob paid no attention to his pleas. Soon, a rope appeared and one of the mob started to fashion a noose. Suddenly, two loud clangs rang out and members of the Committee of Vigilance began arriving on the run, all of them armed with guns. Mayor Brenham told the mob to leave. When no one moved to leave, Brenham pulled out his gold watch and shouted, "I shall now give you just ten minutes to disperse, and if you fail to comply, I shall order every last one of you to be incarcerated in the city Bastille. In other words, I will put every damned one of you in jail."
It was written of Brenham that "no one ever has performed, or ever will perform the duties of an office with more purity of purpose, and with a greater regard for the true interests of the city, than did Mr. Brenham. He retired from his office without the slightest taint or suspicion."
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Before the Wind
A Mayfair Game for Shrewd Merchants by Torsten Landsvogt
A fleet of commerce ships lies aside the quays, waiting to be loaded with valuable goods. An assortment of goods will fill the captain's bill, as his crew readies the ship for the sea. You are a prominent merchant trying to fill your warehouse with the goods these captains need to fill their holds. A ship's captain will only accept goods from one merchant, so quickly collecting the right combination of goods is the key to victory. Fill your warehouse with care and spend your guilders with prudence Tary not, and let not a moment pass before you load your goods, for the fleet will leave the harbor with the whim of the winds If you wait too long, your precious goods may spoil before you fill a captain's hold. Can you keep your merchant empire running Before the Wind? Or will the winds of Fortune blow ill upon you?
Gold Rush Port: The Maritime Archaeology of San Francisco's Waterfront
James P. Delgado
Described as a "forest of masts," San Francisco's Gold Rush waterfront was a floating economy of ships and wharves, where a dazzling array of global goods was traded and transported. Drawing on excavations in buried ships and collapsed buildings from this period, James P. Delgado re-creates San Francisco's unique maritime landscape, shedding new light on the city's remarkable rise from a small village to a boomtown of thousands in the three short years from 1848 to 1851. Gleaning history from artifacts--preserves and liquors in bottles, leather boots and jackets, hulls of ships, even crocks of butter lying alongside discarded guns--Gold Rush Port paints a fascinating picture of how ships and global connections created the port and the city of San Francisco.
"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 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, as well as company and flag state policies.
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 ultimate responsibility.
On international voyages, the captain is responsible for satisfying requirements of the local immigration and customs officials. Immigration issues can include situations such as embarking and disembarking passengers, handling crewmembers who desert the ship, making crew-changes in port, and making accommodations for foreign crewmembers.
Customs requirements can include the master providing a cargo declaration, a ship's stores declaration, a declaration of crewmembers' personal effects, crew lists and passenger lists.
