Sea Captains: San Francisco 1800s

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Thomas A. Budd

Thomas A. Budd joined the Navy in 1829, was promoted to passed midshipman in 1835, and earned the rank of lieutenant in 1841.

He was part of the U.S. Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842 under the command of Lieutenant Charles Wilkes.

Seven years later, he assumed command of the first Pacific Mail Steamer California, and was one of the first officers to enter the mail service. Under his command, the California became the first American steamship to navigate the Straits of Magellan. He captained Pacific steamers throughout the Gold Rush.

He resigned from the Navy in 1853 to pursue private opportunities. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Budd again applied to the Navy, was appointed acting lieutenant, and received command of the gunboat Penguin. He was killed in action in a skirmish at Mosquito Inlet, Florida, on March 23, 1862. 

January 4, 1850, Tri Weekly Alta California, San Francisco

CAPTAIN BUDD. -- The steamer California, we understand, will leave for Panama on the 15th inst., and as a great a rush for tickets is anticipated as occurred upon the sailing of the Oregon.

Capt. Budd, the commander of the California, is probably the most popular of the officers of the Pacific steamship line. All who have ever taken a trip upon his vessel speak in the highest terms of his courtesy, urbanity and gentlemanly bearing and his qualities as a sailor. We have been indebted on several occasions to his kindness for matters of moment to us. The public are also indebted to him for the last mail from the States, as we learn from passengers that it was owing to his exertions that it was brought across the Isthmus in season. It is with pleasure that we hear these praises of Captain B., whom we know to be every way worthy the confidence of the community.

October 2, 1850, Daily Alta California, San Francisco, California

Steamer California Dinner

Capt. Budd entertained a party of friends on board the California on the afternoon of Monday last. The multitudinous engagements which the approach of steamer day is sure to bring, prevented many of the invited guests from attending. It was one of the most elegant repasts ever offered by a host to his guests in California. The appointments of this steamer are all perfect. Nothing can excel the admirable arrangements that are apparent throughout every department. Thoroughly repaired and refitted as she is, this fine ship would hardly be recognized. Her passengers may be congratulated, and with reason, upon the comforts and luxuries that have been provided for their accommodation and enjoyment, a foretaste of which was enjoyed by the guests of her poplar commander, on Monday. Every thing showed the order, discipline and completeness which prevails on board this fine steamer, ensuring confidence, pleasure and safety.

The officers of the Pacific steamers have the opportunity of enlisting the friendship and regard of very many persons, and none probably, have more successfully availed themselves of it than those of the pioneer steamer California.

We have not Capt's Budd's "Bill of Fare" and cannot therefore enumerate, but must say that its recapitulation would travel through the whole range of meats, game, poultry, poissous, entrees, fruits, jellies, ice creams, and whatever else could tempt the appetite. And then for spirits and wines, sparkling champagne and courtesy -- but "it is no manner of consequence" to think of doing justice to Capt. Budd or his feast. We wish him all prosperity and great progress, yet not that which would make a flower of Capt. Budd -- he is best as he is, let him be a bud forever.

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The Sea Chart: The Illustrated History of Nautical Maps and Navigational Charts
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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 scientific and aesthetic terms, as a means of safe and accurate seaborne navigation. Contains 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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In the last quarter of the 19th Century, American Merchant Marine went into a decline, and sailors were forced to serve under conditions that were little better than serfdom. Seamen were exploited in wholesale fashion, disfranchised of almost all their civil and human rights, and brutally punished forminor offenses. Successful skippers turned into slave drivers, cracking down on the sailors, sometimes even murdering their "hands." Though captains were legally prohibited from flogging their crews, they did not hesitate to wield belaying pins, marlin spikes, or bare fists. The seamen's lot was so horrible that entire crews jumped ship when in port. New crews were kidnaped, crimped, or shanghaied from the unsuspecting populace of the ports. These "impressed" or "hobo" crews were still further conspired against. They often had their wages stolen from them; they were poorly fed and clothed. Their lives became "hell afloat and purgatory ashore." Our "first and finest employ" in colonial days was turned into a disreputable profession-one that was classed with criminals and prostitutes.

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Blending history and anecdote, geography and reminiscence, science and exposition, the New York Times bestselling author tells the breathtaking saga of the Atlantic Ocean, setting it against the backdrop of mankind's intellectual evolution. Until a thousand years ago, no humans ventured into the Atlantic or imagined traversing its vast infinity. But once the first daring mariners successfully navigated to far shores whether it was the Vikings, the Irish, the Chinese, Christopher Columbus in the north, or the Portuguese and the Spanish in the south the Atlantic evolved in the world's growing consciousness as an enclosed body of water bounded by the Americas to the West, and by Europe and Africa to the East. Atlantic is a biography of this immense space, of a sea which has defined and determined so much about the lives of the millions who live beside or near its tens of thousands of miles of coast.

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This book depicts important aspects of our maritime history as a result of original research done by the author, Commodore Bates, the holder of an unlimited master's license who has enjoyed a distinguished fifty-year career in both the Coast Guard and the American Merchant Marine.

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.

Get Your Captain's License. Fifth Edition
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Considered the quickest, easiest, and least expensive way to prepare for the U.S. Coast Guard captain's ratings exams required for anyone who takes paying passengers on a boat, and useful for serious boaters who want to save money on insurance. 350 pages of seamanship and navigation tutorials. More than 1,500 questions and answers from the Coast Guard exams. Includes an interactive CD-ROM with all 14,000 questions and answers in the USCG database, so you can take an unlimited number of practice exams