A guide to the Experimental small craft sailing in the Oakland Estuary photographs, circa 1890

Processed by: L. Bianchi, 2013.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Building E, Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone: 415-561-7030

Fax: 415-556-3540

SAFR_Historic_Documents@nps.gov

URL: http://www.nps.gov/safr

2013

A Guide to the Experimental small craft sailing in the Oakland Estuary photographs

P07-006

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service

2013, National Park Service

Title: Experimental small craft sailing in the Oakland Estuary photographs

Date: circa 1890

Identifier/Call Number: P07-006 (SAFR 23374)

Creator: Unknown

Physical Description: 15 items.

Repository: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department

Building E, Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123

Abstract: The Experimental small craft sailing in the Oakland Estuary photographs, circa 1890, (SAFR 23374, P07-006) are comprised of photographs depicting yachts sailing with experimental rigs on the Oakland Estuary in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. The collection has been processed to the Item level and is open for use.

Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department

Language(s): In English.

Access

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Publication and Use Rights

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Processing Note

The 15 photographs were mounted in three frames at the time of purchase on an unknown date prior to January 2007. Items 01-07 were in one frame, Items 08-10 were in the second frame, and Items 11-15 were in the third frame. The photographs were removed from the frames and the frames were discarded on an unknown date, likely prior to donation. The photographs are in good condition, but the mounts were damaged when they were removed from the frames.

The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.

Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.

Preferred Citation

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], P07-006 (SAFR 23374), Experimental small craft sailing in the Oakland Estuary photographs, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Acquisition Information

SAFR-01986

SAFR-01986 was donated by SAFR employee John Muir in 2007. The collection was formally accessioned on November 16, 2007.

Mr. Muir purchased the collection at a flea market in Alameda, California, on an unknown date prior to January 2007. The 15 photographs were mounted in three frames at the time of purchase. The seller claimed that the photographs were from the estate of an ex-commodore, whose name has been lost, possibly of the Alameda Yacht Club. Apparently, the photographs hung on the wall of an old clubhouse and the ex-commodore saved them from destruction. However, the Alameda Yacht Club is not likely the clubhouse where the photographs hung as it was not founded until 1985 and the clubhouse still stands. Other possibilities include the Aeolian Yacht Club of Alameda (founded 1906), Encinal Yacht Club (founded in 1890), or the Oakland Yacht Club (founded 1913). The donor remembers some discussion with the seller concerning a family that was responsible for blowing up a rock in the middle of San Francisco Bay, possibly Blossom Rock or Harding Rock. One of the vessels in the photographs is flying the burgee of the Oakland Navy Yacht Club, which became the California Yacht Club in 1894. The seller was possibly referring to Captain Edward A. Von Schmidt (1856-1899), owner of the yacht WHIRLWIND and the first commodore of the California Yacht Club. He was the son of civil engineer Colonel A. W. Von Schmidt, who was contracted to remove Blossom Rock in 1869-1870.

Handwritten on the verso of one of the prints (Item 09) is "[...] be returned J.E. Bland, Alameda." Bland's connection to the photographs is unknown. Joseph Edward Bland (1866-1945) was born in Canada. He became a United States citizen in 1884 in Michigan where he studied law at the University of Michigan. He appears to have been in the San Francisco Bay area circa 1890-1895. The November 10, 1891, edition of San Francisco's The Morning Call notes that Bland was elected President of the Alameda Olympic Club. The Husted's Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley and Alameda County Directory for 1891 lists Bland as a newspaper man for the Encinal newspaper, and the 1892 and 1894 directories list him as manager for Argus Publishing Company in Alameda. Bland then returned to Michigan to practice law. He was elected to serve as a state legislator in 1901 and 1905 as well as a senator in 1906.

Historical or Biographical Note

This collection does not include a historical or biographical note.

Collection Scope and Content

The Experimental small craft sailing in the Oakland Estuary photographs, circa 1890, (SAFR 23374, P07-006) are comprised of photographs depicting yachts sailing with experimental rigs on the Oakland Estuary in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. The collection has been processed to the Item level and is open for use.

Contains photographs of experimental small craft sailing on the Oakland Estuary, California, circa 1890. There are 15 black-and-white photographic prints, mostly albumens, depicting yachts underway, including lateen rigged boats and gaff rigged sloops, some with Whitehall hulls. The vessel names are unknown, but one vessel is flying the burgee of the Oakland Navy Yacht Club. Some views show the sailors hiked out on sliding seats, and one vessel is equipped with outriggers.

Collection Arrangement

No arrangement due to the small size of the collection.

Related Materials

Researchers should note that there are other books and collections with materials related to San Francisco Bay Area small crafts and yachting in the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. They can search the Park's web catalog for more information.

This material is located at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Small craft

Sloops

Whitehall boats

Sailboats

Boats and boating

Yachting

Trimarans

Oakland Estuary (Calif.)

San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)

Black-and-white prints (photographs)

Albumen prints

Shared collection box

Item No. 01. Gaff rigged sloop: yacht, port broadside view, underway on San Francisco Bay, California, circa 1890

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white albumen photographic print, 3.75 x 4.5 in., mounted on a 4.25 x 5.25 in. mat.

Scope and Content Note

The number 49 has been attached to the mainsail, likely for a race. The headsail is also unfurled.

Shared collection box

Item No. 02. Gaff rigged sloop: yacht, stern view, underway with six men aboard, on the Oakland Estuary, California, circa 1890

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 3.5 x 4.5 in., mounted on a 4.25 x 5.25 in. mat.

Scope and Content Note

All six men appear to be on sliding seats. Two additional men are in the foreground watching the vessel from a platform.

Shared collection box

Item No. 03. Lateen rigged small boat: yacht, starboard broadside view, underway with two people aboard, on the Oakland Estuary, California, circa 1890

Extent: 1 photograph.