A guide to the Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) salvage photograph album, 1914-1962

Item No. 01. Bowsprit outer end sketches, possibly 1961

Extent: 1 item.

Physical Description: 1 ink sketch on paper, 7.75 x 5.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

Sketches of three views: "Bowsprit outer end board to cover end"; "Shape abaft bees for stay"; and "Square where it enters hull." Also contains the note, "Tend on into pawl bit."

Items 01 and 02 are stored in a glassine envelope attached to the inside of the front cover.

Item No. 02. Cathead sketches, possibly 1961

Extent: 1 item.

Physical Description: 1 ink sketch on paper, 7.75 x 5.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

Two sketches of a cathead. One shows its relationship to the deck, rail and scupper. The other shows the bowsprit shroud, brace, and fastening.

Items 01 and 02 are stored in a glassine envelope attached to the inside of the front cover.

Item No. 03. Bill Bartz preparing to send down the fore topmast aboard Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.5 x 13.5 in. Inscribed on verso: "Museum crew works on salvaging iron fittings from foremast of schooner Forester. Please return to Forsie."

Scope and Content Note

View off the port bow of FORESTER as seen from the mudflats. Bill Bartz is aloft the foremast. Other men are on the forecastle deck, including Al Hatt (closest to the bowsprit).

Located on page 1 of the album.

Caption: At the masthead. Bill Bartz prepares to send down the fore topmast.

Item No. 04. Bill Bartz and Ib Riis aloft the foremast of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.25 x 13.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

Located on page 2 of the album.

This image appears in the San Francisco Maritime Museum publication "Sea Letter" (1962, no. 3, page 2), with the following caption: "William Bart [sic] and Ib Riis reeve a mast rope to lower the fore-topmast in a safe and seamanlike manner. The foremast was felled on deck to facilitate salvage work."

Item No. 05. Al Hatt on the forecastle deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.75 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Al Hatt is looking up at the foremast (out of view). The bowsprit is visible behind him.

Located on page 2 of the album.

Caption: Al Hatt ran the job.

Item No. 06. Men cutting adrift the fore fiferail of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.25 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Two men are at work, a third man is observing, and Al Hatt is in the right foreground with his back to the camera. View from the forecastle deck looking aft.

Located on page 3 of the album.

Caption: Cutting adrift the fore fiferail.

Item No. 07. Al Hatt directing the reeving off of a mast rope on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 6.75 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

View from the deck looking up at Al Hatt on the forecastle deck. He is pointing up at the foremast which is out of view.

Located on page 4 of the album.

Caption: Al takes charge of reeving off a mast rope.

Item No. 08. Al Hatt directing the reeving off of a mast rope on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 6.75 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

View from the deck looking up at Al Hatt on the forecastle deck.

Located on page 4 of the album.

Item No. 09. Men on the deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 10.75 x 10.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

One man is working on a piece of the foremast lying on the deck while two men are observing. Deck view from approximately mid-ship looking forward.

Located on page 5 of the album.

This image appears in the San Francisco Maritime Museum publication "Sea Letter" (1962, no. 3, page 3), with the following caption: "The foremast is down...now the iron work and rigging must be removed, identified and marked for later reconstruction in the museum as a full-scale, complete and authentic mast doubling."

Item No. 10. Al Hatt observing two men cutting a wire on the deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 9 in.

Scope and Content Note

Located on page 6 of the album.

Caption: Cutting a wire. Benicia Arsenal on opposite side of Carquinez Straits.

Item No. 11. Felled foremast and a man on the deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 10.5 x 10.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

Located on page 7 of the album.

Caption: The foremast felled. The oak trestle trees pierced the deck which softened the fall of the massive spar.

Item No. 12. Bill Bartz carrying a gaff jaw on the deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Located on page 8 of the album.

Caption: Bill carries off a gaff jaw.

Item No. 13. Men cutting ropes from the felled foremast on the deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 10.75 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Six men are in view. On the left, two men are holding a rope and a third man (Bill Bartz?) is sawing it. On the right, two men are handling a rope as the third man observes.

Located on page 9 of the album.

Caption: The part we wanted, a twenty foot length of masthead complete with crosstrees, trestle trees, cap, bands, and blocks. All except the trestle trees have been stripped by the time this photograph was taken.

Item No. 14. Men walking toward Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 10.5 x 10.75 in. Inscribed on verso: "Museum crew working on dismantling old schooner Forester. Please return to Forsie."

Scope and Content Note

View off port bow of FORESTER with only the mizzenmast and spanker mast standing. Five men in view, two on shore and three on the wooden plank walkway leading to the vessel.

Located on page 10 of the album.

Caption: The work party from BALCLUTHA arrives. Only two masts are left.

Item No. 15. Morrissey ashore carrying a flywheel from a spun yarn winch from Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.5 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

FORESTER is in the background. First name of Morrissey is unidentified.

Located on page 11 of the album.

Caption: Morrissey removes the flywheel from a spunyarn winch, a rare discovery.

Item No. 16. Shubin sawing the starboard cathead adrift aboard Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 7.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

First name of Shubin is unidentified.

Located on page 11 of the album.

Caption: Shubin saws the starboard cathead adrift.

Item No. 17. Men dismantling Commerce (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Sausalito, California, 1941-1951

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.25 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

View at the bowsprit. One man is standing in a rowboat at the end of the bowsprit. Another man is standing on the bowsprit and a third man is partially in view also on the vessel.

The caption indicates that the photograph was taken "ten years before" in 1941; however, ten years before 1961 would make the date 1951.

Located on page 12 of the album.

Caption: Ten years before. This photograph, taken in 1941, shows a maritime museum crew dismantling FORESTER's sister ship, the COMMERCE, at Sausalito.

Item No. 18. Bill Bartz and two boys on the bowsprit of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 5.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

View from the forecastle deck. Bartz and the older of the two boys are standing on the bowsprit. The younger boy is seated at the edge of the deck next to the bowsprit.

Located on page 12 of the album.

Caption: On FORESTER's bowsprit.

Item No. 19. Al Hatt and Ib Riis seated on the deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

The men are taking a break from their work.

Located on page 14 of the album.

Caption: Al Hatt and Ib Riis.

Item No. 20. Men taking a break on the deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.5 x 7.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

The five men, from left to right, are Al Hatt (seated), Ib Riis, unidentified, Henry Rusk, and Bill Bartz. A bottle of Myer's rum is in view.

Located on page 14 of the album.

Item No. 21. Henry Rusk taking measurements as Al Hatt observes on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Located on page 15 of the album.

Caption: Henry Rusk made measurements for a plan of the schooner.

Item No. 22. Karl Kortum cutting adrift the mizzen fiferail on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 7.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

Located on page 16 of the album.

Caption: Kortum cuts adrift the mizzen fiferail.

Item No. 23. Henry Rusk and Al Hatt leaving Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.75 x 14 in.

Scope and Content Note

The two men are walking ashore with FORESTER in the background, view off the port bow. No masts remain standing.

Located on page 17 of the album.

This image appears in the San Francisco Maritime Museum publication "Sea Letter" (1962, no. 3, page 5), with the following caption: "'Leave her, Johnny, leave her."...The masts are down, tons of gear have been carried, dragged, or floated ashore, and the decks are cleared and secure. Obviously weary, Henry Rusk and Al Hatt trudge through the mud for the last time, leaving old FORESTER to her fate."

Item No. 24. Karl Kortum standing next to the wheel on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 9.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

Located on page 18 of the album.

Caption: The wheel and steering mechanism were still reasonably intact.

Item No. 25. Correspondence between Captain Otto Daeweritz and Hall Brothers Shipbuilding Company concerning incorrect invoices for repairs to Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m), 1915 November 14

Extent: 1 item.

Physical Description: 1 photocopied page

Scope and Content Note

Photocopy of a handwritten letter from Captain Daeweritz.

Located on page 18 of the album. Items 25-27 are stapled together.

Item No. 26. Correspondence between Captain Otto Daeweritz and Hall Brothers Shipbuilding Company concerning invoices for repairs to Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m), 1914 August 15

Extent: 1 item.

Physical Description: 1 photocopied page

Scope and Content Note

Photocopy of a typed letter from Hall Brothers Shipbuilding Company.

Located on page 18 of the album. Items 25-27 are stapled together.

Item No. 27. Correspondence between Captain Otto Daeweritz and Hall Brothers Shipbuilding Company concerning invoices for repairs to Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m), 1915 November 9

Extent: 1 item.

Physical Description: 1 photocopied page

Scope and Content Note

Photocopy of a typed letter from Hall Brothers Shipbuilding Company.

Located on page 18 of the album. Items 25-27 are stapled together.

Item No. 28. Captain Otto Daeweritz and an unidentified ship broker on the deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1941

Creator/Collector: Kortum, Karl

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.5 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Captain Daeweritz is on the left.

Located on page 19 of the album.

This image appears in the San Francisco Maritime Museum publication "Sea Letter" (1962, no. 3, page 1), with the same caption that appears on the album page.

Caption: Captain Otto Daeweritz, on the deck of his beached schooner, mulls an offer from an Eastern ship broker to send the FORESTER to sea again. The date of this photograph is 1941 when the war in Europe had created a bottom shortage that gave new value to what wooden windjammers were left. Photographed by Karl Kortum.

Item No. 29. Men sawing the spanker mast on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 10 x 10.25 in.

Scope and Content Note

Ib Riis and an unidentified man are sawing as Al Hatt looks on.

Located on page 20 of the album.

Caption: A cut to weaken the jigger mast.

Item No. 30. Ib Riis sawing the spanker mast shroud on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 7.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

A cut shroud is in view on the right.

Located on page 21 of the album.

Caption: Cutting the last jigger mast shroud.

Item No. 31. Cut shrouds on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Three of the four ropes are cut. A man is sawing the fourth rope.

Located on page 21 of the album.

Caption: The trigger...The mizzen swifter is cut adrift.

Item No. 32. Mizzenmast and spanker mast falling to the starboard side on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 10.25 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

The spanker mast is in motion. The mizzenmast has fallen and created a splash in the water alongside the vessel. View from the forecastle deck looking aft.

Located on page 22 of the album.

This image appears in the San Francisco Maritime Museum publication "Sea Letter" (1962, no. 3, page 4), with the following caption: "Crash!...the mizzen-mast splashes into the water, shattering at the rail, followed by the toppling spanker mast. Rigger Ib Riis (far right) has just triggered the fall by cutting the last shroud with his hacksaw."

Caption: The mizzen and the jigger pirouetted in stately fashion and amidst dust and spray crashed overboard.

Item No. 33. Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) with fallen masts in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.5 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

View from the water looking at the starboard side of the hull. The mizzenmast and spanker mast are broken, with part of the mast on board the vessel and part in the water. Ib Riis and an unidentified man are on board.

Located on page 23 of the album.

This image appears in the San Francisco Maritime Museum publication "Sea Letter" (1962, no. 3, page 4), with the following caption: "The mizzen and spanker masts lie across the rail in a classic reenactment of a dismasting at sea."

Caption: View of a dismasted schooner.

Item No. 34. Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) poop deck, starboard side, as seen from the water alongside in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.25 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

The fallen spanker mast is on the right. Ib Riis is in view on top of the coach house on board.

Located on page 24 of the album.

Caption: Poop deck. The railing has been removed and sent ashore.

Item No. 35. Al Hatt seated on the fallen mizzenmast on the deck of Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.25 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Two men are working in the background, one at the fallen spanker mast and one at the damaged coach house.

Located on page 25 of the album.

Caption: Al Hatt is a man-o-war's man, trained in the INDEPENDENCE, the first three decker in the U. S. Navy, in the sloop of war PENSACOLA, and in the steam frigate MOHICAN, built at Mare Island.

Item No. 36. Damaged coach house on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 6.75 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Charles Fitzgerald is possibly the man partially visible inside the structure.

Located on page 26 of the album.

Caption: Unfortunately, the falling jigger mast rigging raked open the coach house.

Item No. 37. Ib Riis and Charles Fitzgerald examining damage to the coach house on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Al Hatt is possibly the man on the right with his back to the camera. View from the poop deck looking forward.

Located on page 26 of the album.

Caption: Riis and Charles Fitzgerald, the owner, contemplate repairs.

Item No. 38. Bill Bartz hammering a crosstree as Al Hatt observes on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

The fallen spanker mast is on the right.

Located on page 27 of the album.

Caption: Bill loosens up a crosstree. The shattered jigger mast can be seen behind him.

Item No. 39. Bill Bartz and Ib Riis sawing a crosstree on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 5.75 x 8.25 in.

Scope and Content Note

The fallen spanker mast is behind them.

Located on page 27 of the album.

Item No. 40. San Francisco Chronicle newspaper clipping of the "Riptides" column titled "A Rainy Sunday Afternoon" by Robert O'Brien, 1947 November 5

Extent: 1 item.

Physical Description: 1 newspaper clipping

Scope and Content Note

Describes O'Brien's visit to Captain Otto Daeweritz on board Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) in Martinez, California. The article was reprinted in the San Francisco Maritime Museum's publication "Sea Letter" (1962, no. 3, page 8).

Located on page 28 of the album.

Item No. 41. Truck loaded with salvaged pieces from Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) near Pier 43, San Francisco, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.25 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

G.W. Thomas Drayage & Rigging Company truck. The city of San Francisco is in the background.

Located on page 28 of the album.

Caption: A rare collection of archaic fittings was trucked from Martinez to San Francisco.

Item No. 42. Truck loaded with salvaged pieces from Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) with Balclutha (built 1886; ship, 3m) in the background at Pier 43, San Francisco, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 9.5 x 13.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

G.W. Thomas Drayage & Rigging Company truck.

Located on page 29 of the album.

Caption: Sections of the masts will be part of the new displays.

Item No. 43. Parts salvaged from Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) being lifted aboard Balclutha (built 1886; ship, 3m) for temporary storage at Pier 43, San Francisco, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 5.5 x 8 in.

Scope and Content Note

Deck view on board BALCLUTHA. A man is guiding a load of objects suspended from a cane.

Located on page 30 of the album.

Item No. 44. Parts salvaged from Forester (built 1900; schooner, 4m) on a flatbed trailer at Pier 43, San Francisco, California, 1961

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.75 x 9.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Two men are on the trailer, apparently securing items to be lifted on board BALCLUTHA (built 1886; ship, 3m) where they will be stored.

Located on page 30 of the album.

Caption: Loot from the FORESTER is temporarily stowed aboard the BALCLUTHA.

Item No. 45. Articles from the San Francisco Maritime Museum's publication "Sea Letter", 1962

Extent: 1 item (3 pages).

Physical Description: 3 photocopied pages

Scope and Content Note

Photocopies of pages 6-8 from the "Sea Letter" (1962, no. 3) containing the articles "Oscar Gonzales speaking" and "A Rainy Sunday Afternoon."

The photocopies are adhered to the inside of the back cover of the album.

Collection Contents