C. Boudrow
1830-1918
Boudrow was a Massachusetts-born master mariner who for many years was a shipping magnate in San Francisco. Boudrow was a principal stockholder of The California Shipping Co. which was organized by William A. Mighell of San Francisco, who became president and manager of the firm. In 1900, The California Shipping Co. was rated as the most extensive owner of sailing vessels in the world. Other principal stockholders included W. J. Gray, Roth, Blum & Co., Charles Boudrow, John Dolbeer, Bennett & Goodall, E. Kentfield, and Pope & Talbot.
A number of individuals and firms prominent in the shipping industry of the Pacific Northwest and San Francisco, combined as the California Shipping Co., purchased one of the world's largest sailing vessels, the 3,340-ton May Flint upon her arrival at Tacoma from Hong Kong in March. Her voyage was an extremely slow one, fears being entertained for her safety and reinsurance quoted at eight per cent. An iron vessel, built originally at Dumbarton in 1880 as the steamship Persian Monarch, the May Flint, rigged as a fourmasted bark, was capable of carrying about twice the cargo of the average British sailing vessel of the Northwest wheat fleets.
Captain Boudrow’s office was located near the port of San Francisco, at 38–40 Market Street. His residence was not far from there, at 1933 Stevenson Street.
Living near him (but never with him) both in San Francisco and in Berkeley was his nephew Charles E. Boudrow, a ship chandler and dealer in ship material born in Massachusetts in 1858. The nephew’s major claim to fame was his purchase of the decommissioned sloop-of-war Marion from the U.S. Navy in July 1907. He moved to Berkeley at about the same time as his uncle and first appeared in the 1891 directory living on Spruce Street between Vine and Rose. Beginning with the 1893 directory, the younger Boudrow’s residence was 1432 Arch Street, where he remained for many years. In 1894 and 1895 he lived with Miss Louisa F. Boudrow.
On 8 June 1918, the Oakland Tribune published Captain Boudrow's obituary, stating:
"Captain Charles Boudrow died suddenly at his home in Berkeley last night. He passed his 88th birthday a few months ago and was then well and hearty. Boudrow was connected with the firm of Migeul (correct spelling: Mighell) & Boudrow, which owned many large square-riggers out of this port, later forming the California Shipping Company and purchasing many eastern craft, which are owned by the Alaska Salmon companies. He retired from active service a few years ago, but made regular visits to the Merchants’ Exchange to talk “ship” with his old-time friends. For over 60 years Boudrow had been established in the marine business in this port."
Editor's Note: Additional information on Captain Boudrow's life, including photographs of the classic home built in Berkeley by the Captain, are to be found on the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) site, which is well worth a visit.
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"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.
