VOL. II N0. 4
A MONTHLY ALMANAC OF CALIFORNIA MARITIME HISTORY
FOR THE MONTH OF: OCT 2019


Gallant Gjoa Arrives in San Francisco
October 20, 1906 – San Francisco – The Gjoa has unofficially arrived. The stanch little Norwegian sloop in which Captain Roald Amundsen, navigator, explorer, scientist, for three years defied the … read more

Steamer Yankee Blade is a Total Loss
October 11, 1854 – San Francisco – The Yankee Blade. The shipwreck of this fine steamer, her total loss and the consequent loss of the lives of a number of her passengers, are events deeply to be … read more

U.S.S. Essex To Be Commissioned
October 15, 1992 – San Diego - “The amphibious assault ship, U.S.S. Essex (LHD-2), will be commissioned at Naval Air Station North Island this Saturday at 10 a.m. Secretary of Defense Richard B. … read more
ALONG THE WATERFRONT
October 1, 1891 – San Francisco – An unknown scow schooner capsized off the seawall about 8:30 o’clock last night. The watchman on Section 1 saw the vessel upset and sent word to the North Harbor Police Station and also notified the tugboat offices. The red stack tug Redmond went to her assistance, but up to midnight had not succeeded in finding the schooner. The vessel was grain-laden. At the time of the accident no one was on board.” (San Francisco Call)
October 3, 1857 – Sacramento – The schooner Gertrude had yesterday taken on a large portion of her cargo of 80 tons of cobble stones, at the foot of R Street, and the Bianca is alongside, ready to take her place immediately, for a similar cargo. They are designed for paving the streets of San Francisco. (Sacramento Daily Union)
October 5, 1894 – San Francisco – The largest vessel ever built at Turner’s shipyards was successfully launched today at 1 o’clock. Her deck line is 165 feet, beam 30 feet 6 inches, and 16 feet depth of hold. She has a tonnage of 500 tons. She was built for Matthew Turner and others of San Francisco and her rig will be that of a brigantine. (San Francisco Call) read more
AFLOAT & ASHORE
Panamanian Freighter Ashore at Pt. Fermin
October 7, 1972 – The 8,145-ton, 500-foot Panamanian-flag freighter Liberty Manufacturer went … read more
Hurricane Commission Ceremony Planned
October 20, 1993 – San Diego - "The U.S.S. Hurricane was commissioned here last Friday, Oct 15, at … read more
Funeral Ship Returns War Dead
October 10, 1947 – San Francisco – "The dirge-like boom of a distant cannon marked the arrival of … read more
Benevolence Hero Pays for Good Deed
October 31, 1950 – San Francisco – John Napoli, a fisherman who saved the lives of 70 persons the … read more
Record Ship Held for Smuggling
October 12, 1920 – San Pedro – “Los Angeles harbor was the scene of hurrying and scurrying today. … read more
Wine Tanker Arrives in New York
October 9, 1957 – New York - With just a trace of a list a sleek new tanker swung into New York … read more
Wreckers Leave for Scene of Shubrick Grounding
September 18, 1867 – Mendocino - The wrecking party, under Captain Bloomfield, left from San … read more
Final Chapter for Schooner Commerce
September 25, 1941 – Sausalito - “Because the ship is settling fast and will stay afloat longer … read more



