The Maritime Heritage Project: Captains, Ships, Passengers in 1800s California

Algoma
The Algoma, 293 tons was built in 1845 in Thomaston, Maine. Master Skatts. She sailed March 1, 1849 from Baltimore, Maryland with 56 passengers and 12 crew. She arrived in San Francisco on September 26, 1849 via Callao. She was used in Panama trade after arrival.

Apollo and Euphemia
The ship Apollo and the brig Euphemia (pictured below) were among the early vessels to be abandoned and used for other purposes needed by the rapidly growing City of San Francisco. By 1850, these vessels were used as storeships.

Arkansas
Tri Weekly Alta California, December 21, 1849
DISASTROUS WRECK.--The fine American bark Arkansas, 627 tons, Capt. Shephard, from New York via Talcahuana, anchored Wednesday about 3 o'clock in our harbor. During the gale of the following night she dragged her anchors and struck on Bird Island, occasioning the loss of her rudder, and the necessity of cutting away her fore and mizen masts. By laborious exertions the crew finally succeeded in getting the vessel afloat, and thus she remained until towed to a safe anchorage by boats of other ships in port, yesterday morning. The Arkansas had on board, at the time of the disaster, about eighty passengers, seven of whom were females, with several children. She was consigned to Geo. Wardle & Co., and was heavily freighted.

Brownrigg
A four-masted iron ship built in 1884 by Russell & Co., Greenock. Dimensions 91,76×12,80×7,38 meters [301'1"×42'0"×24'3"] and tonnage 2375 GRT and 2279 NRT. Rigged with nothing over double top- and topgallant sails. 1884 April Launched at the shipyard of Russell & Co., Greenock, for J. Houston, Liverpool. The first master was Captain Williams. 1888 Sailed from Hull to San Francisco in 97 days. 1888 Wrecked at the harbour entrance when leaving San Francisco.

Daniel Webster
J. L. Akerman, wrote a journal of a voyage from Boston, Massachusetts to San Francisco from September 23, 1849-April 29, 1850, in the bark Daniel Webster under the command of Captain Joseph C. Higgins. Held in the Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, California ( # 77/156 c). Journal was continued after arriving until early 1854. Includes a list of names of other 54 passengers, including four women and two children. Gives the place of residences for the passengers. Also list of names of the crew. Most of the passengers were from Boston area, but a few were from New Hampshire and New York state. One passenger and his wife were identified only as Germans.' The age is given only for R. Saunders, who was 76 years old, and it was noted that he returned home one week after arriving. Two of the women--Mrs. Fowler and Mrs. Sypp--were wives of other passengers, while the other two, Mrs. C. Hall and Mrs. C. Abbott, seemingly were not accompanied by husbands. There is also reference to a Miss Hall, who was possibly one of the children. There are large gaps between entries in the early part of the journal. Only five entries exist for the leg between Boston and Rio de Janeiro. Between Rio, which they left on December 4, 1849 and the arrival at Valparaiso on April 29, 1850, the entries are much more regular. Between Valparaiso and San Francisco the entries are once again scattered and quite short. Akerman assumed the position of steward when they left Valparaiso. He shared the duties with his friend Dan, who is mentioned quite frequently and is probably D. Richard, who was from Ipswich as was Akerman. Has an extensive description of Rio de Janeiro. Latter part of the journal deals with experiences in mining and other activities in California.

Griffon
Tri Weekly Alta California, December 21, 1849
The bark Griffon, 301 tons burthen, was, we understood, sold at auction on Tuesday, for the sum of $8,000 cash. She was built in 1840.

Tagus
Daily Alta California, August 1851
SHIP ASHORE.--The ship Tagus, Farnham, from New York, with a general cargo, consigned to Messrs. Torrey & Blanchard, went ashore outside the heads, in Potatoe Cove, on Saturday evening at 8 o'clock. When teh Captain left, at 7 o'clock A.M. yesterday morning, to procure assistance here, she had not bilged but was lying on the beach. The steamer California has been chartered to proceed to her assistance this morning at daylight. A large body of men and three or four lighters left yesterday to assist in lightening her. It is doubtful if she can be got off.

Thomas H. Benton
Tri Weekly Alta California, December 21, 1849
We are requested by the Captain of the brig Thomas A. Benton, to state, that he left an officer on board the brig when he left her wreck on Angel Island.
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