A guide to the Girard Koch collection, 1848-1866
Processed by: Historic Documents Department Staff (Bailey).
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
2012
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
A Guide to the Girard Koch collection
HDC0026
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service2012, National Park Service
Title: Girard Koch collection
Date: 1848-1866
Date (bulk): 1853-1855
Identifier/Call Number: HDC0026 (SAFR 13572)
Physical Description:
21 items
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Girard Koch collection (SAFR 13572, HDC 26) is comprised of correspondence, court papers, legislative documents, and other
documents relating to life in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. The collection also includes documents relating to maritime
matters in and around the Sacramento Delta, San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Coast during the 1850s. The collection spans
the years 1848-1866 and is processed to the collection level.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
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.
Note on Description: 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. P
lease cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.
[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item
Number], HDC0026 (SAFR 13572), Girard Koch collection, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
SAFR-00001
This collection was transferred from Golden Gate National Recreation Area to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Historical or Biographical Note
The GOVERNOR DANA was a paddle steamer of 67 tons built in 1849 in Oldtown, Maine. The vessel was originally intended to to
ply the Penobscot River; however a monopoly for that route was granted to another party. The GOVERNOR DANA was therefore disassembled
and shipped in pieces to the West Coast, via the bark Rio Grande. On arriving in San Francisco, she was rebuilt and began
to serve the Sacramento River towns including Marysville, Red Bluff until 1863.
The ELIZA was a bark of Peruvian registration. On a voyage from Callao to San Francisco in 1851, while under control of the
local San Francisco pilot David B. Morgan, the ship was run onto Tonquin shoal. The ship and cargo were a total loss. Subsequently,
Peruvian representatives filed suit in District Court against the local pilots, claiming the loss was due to their error and
incompetence. The District Court awarded $24,151 in damages; however, the pilots claimed inability to pay. Further efforts
to seek payment from the US Government and the State of California were not successful, and the case does not have further
public record. ELIZA was a very common name for vessels at this time, and further details as to origin and construction of
this particular vessel are unclear.
The Girard Koch collection (SAFR 13572, HDC 26) is comprised of correspondence, court papers, legislative documents, and other
documents relating to life in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. The collection also includes documents relating to maritime
matters in and around the Sacramento Delta, San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Coast during the 1850s. The collection spans
the years 1848-1866 and is processed to the collection level.
The collection contains documents from the California Senate relating to San Francisco water-lots, which includes petitions,
purchases, reports, and Governor's special messages. California Senate documents relating to the case of the Peruvian bark
ELIZA. California Senate report of the Committee on Commerce and Navigation on Atlantic and Pacific mail Steamship Company.
The correspondence and biographical information on Amos P. Catlin. Legal documents from the Jacob W. Chapman vs. Steamboat
Governor Dana in which Catlin represented the plaintiff. Documents on laws and information relating to claims against the
government of the United States. United States Congressional documents related to the House Committee on Naval Affairs and
Senate speech made by Hon. Solon Borland, AR, against the Collins Line of Steamers, special legislation, and all monopolies.
This collection is arranged into seven folders.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Waterfronts--California--San Francisco
San Francisco (Calif.)
Pacific Mail Steamship Company