A guide to the Chispa (built 1879; schooner, 2m: yacht) logbook, 1915-1918 and 1973-1977
Processed by: Historic Documents Department Staff (LeBlanc).
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 Chispa (built 1879; schooner, 2m: yacht) logbook
HDC0163
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service2012, National Park Service
Title: Chispa (built 1879; schooner, 2m: yacht) logbook
Date: 1915-1918 and 1973-1977
Identifier/Call Number: HDC0163 (SAFR 16447)
Author:
Chittenden, Charles
Physical Description:
1 item
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: CHISPA (built 1879; schooner, 2m: yacht) logbook,1915-1918 and 1973-1977 (SAFR 16447, HDC 163) is comprised of 1 logbook that
describes many pleasure cruises of the yacht CHISPA, a few pleasure cruises of the yacht EMMA, and some historical information
that is pasted into the back of the volume. The collection has been processed to the item level and is open for use without
restrictions.
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], HDC0163 (SAFR 16447), Chispa (built 1879; schooner, 2m: yacht) logbook, 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
CHISPA was built in 1879 by Matthew Turner in San Francisco and her sails were made by Simpson & Fischer. The day after launching
the yacht took first prize in a San Francisco Yacht Club race and was known to be one of the fastest yachts in San Francisco
Bay and offshore. Among the notable family names who boarded the craft were: Crockers, Sharons, Slosses, Spreckels and Grants.
The yacht was owned by Commodore I. Gutto and affiliated with the San Francisco Yacht Club and later the property of the Chispa
Club, of which Herbert Eloesser was a member. From 1915-1918 CHISPA was captained by Charles (Cappy) Chittenden. In 1917 the
yacht was sold as a freighter.
Chittenden went on to captain EMMA (yacht), owned by Herbert and Nina Eloesser. EMMA was built by Lester Stone for Herbert
Eloesser. The yacht was owed by Eloesser until it was sold in 1939.
CADDIE (built 1909; launch) built as a passenger vessel to ferry golfers from San Rafael to the San Rafael Golf Club. Also
used in the service of towing vessels, including CHISPA, to moorings. The vessel was built by H. Anderson at South San Francisco.
Source: Newspaper articles and transcripts of oral histories that have been glued to the back pages of the logbook.
CHISPA (built 1879; schooner, 2m: yacht) logbook,1915-1918 and 1973-1977 (SAFR 16447, HDC 163) is comprised of 1 logbook that
describes many pleasure cruises of the yacht CHISPA, a few pleasure cruises of the yacht EMMA, and some historical information
that is pasted into the back of the volume. The collection has been processed to the item level and is open for use without
restrictions.
The logbook describes the pleasure voyages of CHISPA in and around San Francisco Bay with mention of locations such as San
Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon, Mare Island, San Pablo Bay, Hunters Point, Racoon Straights, Point Bonita, Goat Island, Paradise
Cove, Belvedere Point; there is also mention of the Tower of Jewels and Panama Pacific International Exposition; and the battleship
Oregon. These voyages were captained by Charles (Cappy) Chittenden.
For most voyages there is a list of signatures of those onboard frequently including H. (Herbert) Eloesser. The logbook contains
descriptions of the daily activities of passengers including meals, musical entertainment, merriment and swimming. There are
a couple of poems written into the logbook.
There are also several entries in 1918 that are about the yacht EMMA, owned by Herbert Eloesser and skippered by Charles Chittenden.
Collection also includes photographs, sketches, photocopies of articles and clippings, and transcripts of conversations regarding
the history and fate of CHISPA.
1 item in 1 folder
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Logbooks
Yachting--California--San Francisco Bay
Eloesser, Herbert
Chittenden, Charles "Cappy"
Caddie (built 1909; launch)
Emma (yacht)
Chispa (built 1879; schooner, 2m: yacht)
San Francisco Bay (Calif.)--Harbor
Logbook