Wharfinger, San Francisco
Editor's Note: Questions frequently arrive regarding San Francisco's Chief Wharfinger's during the 1800s. As names are located, they will be included.
The Wharfinger was a person who owned or managed a wharf, the latter being a city appointment beginning in San Francisco's mid-to-late 1800s.
1891: Martin Corcoran, Chief Wharfinger
Daily Alta California, February 3, 1891: The Chief "Wharfinger's Place. A petition is being circulated among the merchants and shipping men of San Francisco, containing an appeal to Governor Markham for the retention in office of Chief Wharfinger Corcoran, whose eight years of service in that position has given universal satisfaction, and rendered him deservedly popular among those he is brought in contact with. The petition has received many signatures, politics not being considered by the many friends of this popular official. Mr. Corcoran 's term expires in May.
March 4, 1891, Daily Alta California With the large number of vessels now in port, shipmasters find it hard work to obtain berths for discharging readily. Chief Wharfinger Corooran states that every berth on the water front is oooupied. Besides the many coasters now in the harbor, no less than fortytwo British ships and two British barks are now in port unloading and taking on oargo
1894: James Baobar, Chief Wharfinger for the State.
July 4, 1894, San Francisco Call: l do not think that tbe strikers have any grievance that justified them in striking. Business should not be allowed to stagnate, and the Government should force the moving of mail trains. The stiike in a great blow to tbe commercial in'erests of tne country. James Baobar, Chief Wharfinger for the State — I have not made up my mind as yet to express any opinion, but so far as saying what effect the strike has had on the shipping business of the port, I have no hesitation in saying that beyond increasing travel by steamer it has had none. Why do I say this? Because there is no business to speak of on the water front, and hasn't been for some months past. There are no cargo vessels unloading or loading at the city wharves, so I will have to blame the Democrats for uncertain policy and poor form of government rather than the strikers.
1901: Percy Henderson, Chief Wharfinger
July 27, 1901: San Francisco Call
MAKE CHARGES AGAINST WHARFINGER HENDERSON
The Baggage Solicitors' Union No. 1975, through its president, Fred W. Ketlerman, will file charges to-day with the Board of Harbor Commissioners against Chief Wharfinger Percy Henderson alleging that he is a member of a transfer company doing business on the water front and that he has discriminated against certain transfer companies in the pursuit of legitimate business. The complaint drawn up by the union alleges that Henderson is a member of the "Oceanic Transfer Company" and that he allows his alleged partners, Curtin, Bailey and Leramen, to seek business on Broadway and Oceanic docks, while in his capacity as Chief Wharfinger he does not allow the complainants or their friends to enter the docks to seek customers. The complainants ask the Harbor Commissioners to make an investigation and to discipline Henderson in the matter.
June 1, 1907: Thomas A. Hender
Thomas A. Hender of Sonora, Tuolumne county, was appointed chief wharfinger at this port (San Francisco) by the board of state harbor commissioners, to succeed State Senator Richard J. Welch, whose term of four years has expired.
January 21, 1910: Joseph Irwin, Chief Wharfinger (Compensation: $75/month).
The duties of a Chief Wharfinger today include:
- Get to know about the Roles, Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities of Wharfinger Chief.
- Coordinate with shipping employees and resolve all issues.
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with various clients.
- Prepare reports for all dock operations and analyze it on regular basis.
- Analyze operations and recommend improvements if required.
- Manage company facility and recommend changes.
- Administer all incoming ships and assign appropriate docks and berth to all.
- Coordinate with staff and assign appropriate responsibility.
- Develop and enforce various safety regulations.
- Maintain and update tide tables and manage various activities.
- Evaluate all departmental reports and analyze errors and ensure resolution.
- Ensure optimal levels of customer services and design appropriate plans.
- Maintain and manage custody for various goods.
- Supervised everyday activities and resolve various issues.
- Develop and implement various plans to collect slip fees.
- Manage various fees for shipping companies and ensure compliance to port tariff.
