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A guide to the KAIULANI plans, design history and specifications, 1899, 1909-1910, 1971-1975
HDC1309 (SAFR 21368)
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Title: KAIULANI plans, design history and specifications
Date: 1899, 1909-1910, 1971-1975
Identifier/Call Number: HDC1309 (SAFR 21368)
Creator:
Unknown
Physical Description:
36 items.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: KAIULANI plans, design history and specifications collection consists of plans, blueprints, diazotypes, specifications and
reports related to the KAIULANI, the last American-built square rigger. Naval Architect Charles Wittholz consulted with Alan
Hutchinson on the restoration of the KAIULANI in the 1960s for the National Maritime Historical Society (NMHS). He donated
these materials to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park specifically to help with the construction of a half-size
model of KAIULANI. The collection is available for use.
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.
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.
[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item
Number], HDC1309 (SAFR 21368), KAIULANI plans, design history and specifications, San Francisco Maritime National Historical
Park
SAFR-00001
Purchased, March 24, 1988 from Charles W. Wittholz.
Historical or Biographical Note
According to "The Dictionary of Nautical Literacy," the KAIULANI was built in 1899 in Bath, Maine for service between San
Francisco and Hawaii. The 250-foot, three-mast bark was the last American-built square rigger. The KAIULANI was also the last
American square rigger in regular commercial service. The ship left San Francisco in September 1941 on its final voyage. The
KAIULANI picked up lumber in Aberdeen, Washington and sailed around Cape Horn to Durban, South Africa and then onto Sydney,
Australia. Once in Sydney, KAIULANI was converted into a barge to support U.S. forces in the Pacific. In 1963, a group of
maritime enthusiasts formed the National Maritime Historical Society with the goal of restoring the KAIULANI and returning
it from the Philippines to the United States. In October 1964, Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal donated KAIULANI to
the U.S. Efforts to raise funds to restore the ship failed, and it was broken up in 1974.
KAIULANI plans, design history and specifications collection consists of plans, blueprints, diazotypes, specifications and
reports related to the KAIULANI, the last American-built square rigger. Naval Architect Charles Wittholz consulted with Alan
Hutchinson on the restoration of the KAIULANI in the 1960s for the National Maritime Historical Society (NMHS). He donated
these materials to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park specifically to help with the construction of a half-size
model of KAIULANI. The collection is available for use.
The collection includes the original builders' specifications for KAIULANI, by Williams, Dimond & Co., circa 1899, as well
as a Schedule of Shapes for Steel Sailing Bark No. 44 by Arthur Sewall and Co., Bath Maine, April 3, 1899; and Schedule No.
2, Steel Plates, April 20, 1899. These specifications were drawn up by J.A. Hargan, Naval Architect, Brooklyn, New York.
Altogether, there are 36 plans (3 blueprints and 33 diazos). There are original drawings of KAIULANI for the Sewall Shipyard,
made by J.A. Hargan in 1899 (sheets 2-12). There are duplicate copies of some, as several of these sheets were reproduced
for the NMHS. Some plans have notes on them from the 1970s. These drawings include the original lines, inboard profile and
deck plans, body plan, bulkheads, frame and plate list and sail plan. The KAIULANI was also known as Steel Sailing Bark No.
44, and several of the drawings list the vessel's name as STAR OF FINLAND. For example, the blueprint labeled "KAIULANI's
Sail Plan," is the sail plan for the STAR OF FINLAND, from 1910.
The collection includes 3 reconstruction drawings done by Andy Nesdall, for restoration of the KAIULANI, circa 1964. There
are also 5 diazo plans drawn up by Wittholz for the Bark KAIULANI Restoration for the National Maritime Historical Society.
These are Drawing Nos. 139-375-10, 139-680-D, 139-1073-3, 139-474-5 and 139-474-6. These include drawings of the midship section
and the port and starboard shell expansions and date from around 1975.
The collection includes 9 diazo drawings of the American Bark KAIULANI, 1899. Wittholz reproduced these from the original
plans for the Smithsonian Institution in 1973 and 1974. These include lines plans and typical construction sections, inboard
profile, arrangement of decks, midship section and bulkheads, sail plan, spar plan, rigging fittings on spars and deck fittings.
Finally, the collection includes "The History of KAIULANI Plans and her Design Characteristics," written by Wittholz circa
1975.
The collection is arranged chronologically.
- Folder 1: Specifications, circa 1899
- Folders 2-3: Plans by J.A. Hargan, 1899
- Folder 4: Reconstruction Drawings by Andy Nesdall, circa 1964
- Folders 5-6: Plans for the Smithsonian Institution by Charles Wittholz, 1973-1974
- Folder 7: Plans for Bark KAIULANI Restoration for National Maritime Historical Society, circa 1975
- Folder 8: "The History of KAIULANI Plans and Her Design Characteristics," circa 1975
There are a number of related collections, including paintings, objects, photographs and papers, at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. These include:
- Dabel, R. (Capt.) Papers, SAFR 8519, HDC0859, correspondence, notebook and diary transcripts of the master of the KAIULANI, 1900, 1 folder.
- Dring (Harry) Papers, HDC0648, 1890-1986. Dring was the foremast hand on the last voyage of KAIULANI, 1941-1942.
Bill Bartz photographs, SAFR 18732, P78-122a, 40 black and white prints of the voyage of the KAIULANI, 1941-1942.
KAIULANI (built 1898; bark, 3m) photograph collection, SAFR 20738, P05-044, 71 photographic prints and over 200 negatives
depicting the restoration of KAIULANI and the ceremony in which Filipino President Diosdado Macapagal donates the ship to
President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1964-1966.
Painting, SAFR 3829, watercolor of KAIULANI by M.V. Langdale, 1945.
Sextant, SAFR 9543, used by John Johnassen on the last voyage of KAIULANI, 1942
- This material is located at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Kaiulani (built 1899; bark, 3m)
Architectural drawings