Collection Guide
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A guide to the Captain James Tuft papers, 1882-1899
HDC0010 (SAFR 13555)
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Table of contents
Title: Captain James Tuft papers
Date: 1882-1899
Identifier/Call Number: HDC0010 (SAFR 13555)
Physical Description:
19 items
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: This collection includes correspondence, reports on voyages from seamen and ship documents.
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], HDC0010 (SAFR 13555), Captain James Tuft papers, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
SAFR-00001
Golden Gate National Recreation Area transferred these materials to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Historical or Biographical Note
Biography: James Tuft was born at Nordby, Fano, Denmark on June 30, 1827. He left Denmark at age 14 shipping out as a cabin
boy. He arrived in San Francisco in 1849 and signed up with an unknown principal to search for gold under the terms of free
food and lodging plus $1.00 per year plus a percentage of gold produced. This contract lasted one year with Tuft terminating
with only the $1.00 specified. He started in business for himself carrying potatoes and onions from Sacramento to San Francisco
in a small double-ender scow gradually increasing this business to the point of purchasing several larger double-ender vessels
for this traffic. Eventually, he purchased an interest in a coastal schooner and entered into the carriage of passengers for
the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco. Later, he established an office located at 22 California Street, investing his earnings
in shares of certain vessels, also acting as agent for certain vessels. At the time of the earthquake in 1906, Tuft's office
was removed
from San Francisco to 1402 Park Street, Alameda and shortly thereafter at age 79 he retired from active business. He died
at Alameda, California on August 18, 1909.
This collection includes correspondence, reports on voyages from seamen and ship documents.
Documents are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Tuft, James, Captain
Peerless (schooner)
Robert Searles (schooner)
Ship's papers--19th century
Captain