Collection Guide
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Guide to the San Diego Harbor Pilots Collection
MS 233
MS 233
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Table of contents
Title: San Diego Harbor Pilots Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 233
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1888-1966
Abstract: This collection contains San Diego Harbor Pilots’ logs and receipts, covering harbor activities from 1888 to 1946.
creator:
San Diego Harbor Pilots.
Collection processed by Sandra Kirkwood on September 5, 2012.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
This collection is open for research.
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
San Diego Harbor Pilots Collection, MS 233, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Biographical / Historical Notes
San Diego’s harbor was and still is an attractive location for shipping as ships from all over the world move cargo from one
port to the next. In the late 19th century, the cargo generally included coal, lumber, ore, grains, or general merchandise.
San Diego received mariners from Australia, England, Canada, China, Chile, and all areas of the United States. The vast majority
of ships were flagged under Britain or the U.S., but others were flags included Japan, Germany, Italy, and Norway.
During World War II, San Diego was a major military hub. Ships, crews, and pilots conducted training operations off the San
Diego coast before heading to the frontline of the war in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. In addition to training, ships
came to San Diego for repairs, ammunition, personnel, and supplies. Liberty and victory ships were also seen in San Diego
transporting both cargo and personnel. Harbor traffic during this period was undoubtedly relentless, and the harbor pilots
were significant in assisting ships in and out of the harbor as well as juggling ships along the piers. A prominent harbor
pilot during this period was Capt. H. N. Krog. His co-workers were Captains Hilton C. Johnson, John T. Larsen, F. D. Pennoyer,
and K. J. Sorensen. One of the piloting crafts used by Captain Krog and others was the Pilot, serving from 1914 to 1996. She
is now restored and part of the Maritime Museum of San Diego where she is used for day tours and to assist historic vessels
into the harbor.
Captain Harry N. Krog was born around 1900 and within a few weeks was living on his father’s ship in San Francisco. Christian
Krog, Harry’s father, was a ship’s captain and later served as a port pilot in San Pedro. Harry Krog earned his master’s license
at age 23 and was the youngest certified skipper on the West coast. He commanded the West Nivaria out of San Francisco and
then was an officer on the Dollar Line Ships, circumnavigating the globe. Before coming to San Diego, Harry joined his father
as a harbor pilot in San Pedro. At the insistence of Captain Hilton Johnson, Captain Krog joined the piloting forces in San
Diego in 1941. He served until his retirement in 1971 and passed away one year later in 1972.
Captain Hilton C. Johnson served as a San Diego harbor pilot for 21 years. He was born in 1891 and later entered into his
father’s profession. His father, Peter L. Johnson, was also a harbor pilot and sadly died while boarding a vessel off Point
Loma. Captain Johnson retired in 1946 and passed away at the age of 85.
Arranged by suject.
The collection consists of five pilot’s logs, as well as monthly reports and receipts of the San Diego Harbor Pilots. The
bulk of the logs in this collection span from 1942 to 1946. These logs generally contain the date, ship name, ship draft or
tonnage, pilot, type of ship’s movement (in/out/shift), total charge and payment. Highlights include warships, liberty ships,
victory ships, Allied warships, and civilian ships. Monthly reports contain the same information as the corresponding pilot's
log with expenses handwritten on the reverse. The receipts cover supplies, war donations, copies of pilot receipts, and handwritten
notes. Also included are a copy of the survey request for the diesel vessel
Pilot and a copy of the "Bill of Sale of Enrolled Vessel" for the
Star of India.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Aquarius (Ship).
Arbiter (Ship).
Bellatrix (Ship).
Bennington (Aircraft carrier).
Brastagi (Ship).
Casablanca (Aircraft carrier).
Colahan (Destroyer).
Cowell (Ship).
Ewing Young (Ship).
General George M. Randall (Ship).
Gunston Hall (Ship).
Hiyei (Ship).
Hornet (Aircraft carrier : CV8).
Japara (Ship).
Johnson, Hilton C.
Krog, Harry N.
Lady Elizabeth (Ship).
Larsen, J. T.
Lexington (Aircraft carrier : 1943-1991).
Long Island (Ship).
Middlesex Victory (Ship).
New Orleans (Ship).
P. J. Carleton (Ship).
Pennoyer, F. D.
Pilot (Ship).
President Monroe.
Rajah (Ship).
San Diego (Calif.). Harbor Dept.
San Diego Harbor Pilots.
Shangri-La (Aircraft carrier : CVS-38).
Sorensen, K. J.
United States. Dept. of the Navy.
Waters (Ship).
Harbors
Liberty ships
Merchant ships
Pilot boats
Pilots and pilotage
San Diego (Calif.)
Shipping
Victory ships