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A guide to the G. W. McNear papers, 1876-1941
HDC0068 (SAFR 17618)
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Title: G. W. McNear papers
Date: 1876-1941
Date (bulk): 1881-19041881-1904
Identifier/Call Number: HDC0068 (SAFR 17618)
Physical Description:
164 items.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: G.W. McNear papers (SAFR 17618, HDC 68) consists of correspondence, billheads, surveyor's reports, newspaper clipping, cargo
plan, letter book, telegrams, receipts and manifests from the grain brokerage firm of G. W. McNear dating from 1876 to 1941.
This collection has been processed to the collection level and is open for use without restriction.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English. --In Spanish
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
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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], HDC0068 (SAFR 17618), G. W. McNear papers, 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
The G.W. McNear company was a grain brokerage firm in San Francisco that began business in the 1870's. It was founded by George
McNear, who came to San Francisco from Maine. For some years he worked in the grain trading company established by his brother
John A. McNear in Petaluma, and in 1874 he founded his own company with warehouses and docks in Port Costa, next to Martinez.
Both companies prospered for years when wheat and other grains were grown in Northern California and shipped to other parts
of the United States and around the world. The trade gradually declined as irrigation practices allowed other crops to be
grown in the valleys east of San Francisco bay, but during the 1870s through the 1890s, tremendous amounts of grain were shipped
out of Petaluma, Vallejo, and especially Port Costa.
The collection documents include bills, correspondence, telegrams, receipts, survey reports and a letter copy book which are
mainly within the dates of 1879 to 1904. Of maritime interest, there are a number of charter parties and other documents relating
to trading vessels. Of later documents, there is a manifest from the British steamer FRIMLEY from a 1914 voyage, and a stowage
plan from the propeller vessel GEORGE WASHINGTON from 1917. Many ships are referred to in the correspondence, but specific
ship related document exist for the following vessels:
ARMENIA, Bark, 1679 tons, built 1877 in Bath, ME, homeport Bath (charter party);
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, Ship, 1339 tons, built 1881 in Glasgow, homeport Greenock;
BIRMA, Iron Bark, 1457 tons, built 1875 in Vegesak, homeport Bremen;
CAPE BRETON, Ship, 1421 tons, built 1880 in Glasgow, homeport Greenock;
CORONA, Bark, 1210 tons, built 1866 in Dundee, homeport Dundee;
FORFARSHIRE, Bark, 1238 tons, built 1867 in Sunderland, homeport Southampton;
SAN VICENTE, Steamer, 145 tons, homeport San Francisco
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Propeller vessel, 25,570 tons, built 1908 in Bremen;
FRIMLEY, Steamer, 488 tons, built 1913 in Northhumberland, homeport London.
G.W. McNear papers (SAFR 17618, HDC 68) consists of correspondence, billheads, surveyor's reports, newspaper clipping, cargo
plan, letter book, telegrams, receipts and manifests from the grain brokerage firm of G. W. McNear dating from 1876 to 1941.
This collection has been processed to the collection level and is open for use without restriction.
Arranged into 6 folders: Folder 1 contains charter parties, insurance, memo, correspondence, telegram, receipt, surveyor's
report, billhead, newspaper clipping, cargo plan, 1876-1881, 1897-1903, 1941; Folder 2 contains a letter book in very poor
condition, 1989-1904; Folder 3 contains correspondence regarding flower and wheat sales, 1882; Folder 4 contains correspondence,
surveyor's report, 1879,1880-1883; folder 5 contains correspondence, 1882; Folder 6 contains correspondence, 1881-1882.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence
Grain trade
Cargo ships
San Francisco (Calif.)