Sea Captains: San Francisco 1800s

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Phillip Dumaresq

Captain Phillip Dumaresq (noted as Dumare in newspaper reports of the day), a wealthy man from a prominent Boston family, and former captain of the 1261 ton Surprise, who had also supervised the building of that clipper was given the charge of bringing the Bald Eagle to San Francisco in the "Deep Sea Derby" of 1852-1853.

Dumaresq was a superb captain and an accomplished navigator who commanded clippers because that was his true calling, as well as what he liked to do.

As a boy, he had gone on a voyage to China to restore his health and stayed at sea from then on, taking command of a ship by the time he was twenty-two years old.

Dumaresq was prominent among those captains eager to set the records and reap the laurels from the clipper ship races around the Horn. He was intrigued by the sporting aspects of the competition and was readily most eager to move on to command the newer and larger Bald Eagle, (image right) which was much more suited to making the Cape Horn passage.

The Bald Eagle sailed from New York on December 26, 1852, the last clipper to enter the Deep Sea Derby that year, crossed the equator on March 23, lon 111 30, and beat every clipper that sailed around the same time.

Dumaresq showed limitless energy over the course of the voyage, never sleeping in his bed, and slept standing on deck with one eye and one ear open at all times and lost 34 pounds by the time the Bald Eagle arrived at San Francisco on April 4th in 107 days, beating the Flying Childers and Jacob Bell, that had both sailed around the same time.

April 14, 1853, Daily Alta California, San Francisco

Clipper Ship Bald Eagle will commence discharging this day, Wednesday, 13th, at California wharf. Consignees are hereby notified to call on the undersigned, pay freight, and receive orders for their goods. All goods remaining on the wharf after 5 p.m. will be stored at expense and risk of owners thereof.

GEO. B. UPTON, Jr.
Foot Pine st.

April 20, 1853, Daily Alta California, San Francisco

40,000 Rolls Cheap Paper Hangings Also, invoices, lace curtains, cornices, window shades, curtain damask, stair rods, etc. Now landing from ship Bald Eagle, and for sale by FRANK BAKER, 149 Montgomery street

TO BOILER MAKERS Ex. Bald Eagle 50 kegs assorted boiler rivets. Also a large assortment of sheet iron, suitable for smoke stacks, 234 to 38 inch wide. For sale by SOUTHWORTH & CO., No 64 Battery street

JOHN MCCARTY & CO. 68 Sacramento street offer for sale, ex Bald Eagle -- Green peas in 1 and 2 lb-tins; America Regalias; Raspberry and blackberry brandy in cases: Tobias' wine bitters in cases; Fay's extra soap, in hf and qr boxes and cases Also in store -- Sardines in halves and qrs; American cigars; Champagne, Chs. Heidseick; Holland gin in pipes, pure; Burgundy port in qrs; Madeira in halves and qrs; Sauterne, claret and cordials, in cases: Mushrooms, lobsters and assorted preserves.

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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 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.

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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. 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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