Koch (Girard) collection, 1848-1866, bulk 1853-1855

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Summary

Title:
Girard Koch collection
Dates:
1848-1866, bulk 1853-1855
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.
Extent:
21 items
Language:
In English.
Preferred citation:

[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

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:

SAFR-00001

This collection was transferred from Golden Gate National Recreation Area to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

Processing information:

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.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into seven folders.

Physical location:
San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard .

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by: Historic Documents Department Staff (Bailey).
Date Prepared:
2012
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from ICMS database and converted into xml from a template revised and updated by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department. 8/15/2012 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[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

Location of this collection:
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact:
415-561-7030
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