Description
The Balclutha (built 1886; ship, 3m) Bureau of Navigation records (SAFR 21355, HDC1296) relate to the years 1901-1906, documenting
the beginning of the Alaska Packers Association's relationship with the ship. The collection consists of two folders and one
roll of microfilm. Both folders contain photocopies of Bureau of Navigation correspondence regarding the BALCLUTHA. Folder
1 contains Certificates of Enrollment (Bureau of Navigation Correspondence, File #40324-N). Folder two includes correspondence
regarding changing the name of the ship from BALCLUTHA to STAR OF ALASKA; a photocopy of a Deed of Trust between the Alaska
Packers Association and Mercantile Trust Company of San Francisco; and Certificates of Inspection (Bureau of Navigation Correspondence,
File #193061-N). The reel of microfilm contains Shipping Articles for BALCLUTHA. These are for inbound trips in 1902, 1904
and 1906 and an outbound trip from 1905. The collection is available for use.
Background
In 1901, a special act of Congress admitted BALCLUTHA to the American registry so it could engage in trade between American
ports. Subsequently, the Alaska Packers Association, a San Francisco-based firm that harvested and canned salmon, chartered
the BALCLUTHA to carry supplies and men north to Alaska. After the ship ran aground in 1904, the Packers Association purchased
the ship for $500. The firm did extensive repairs and renamed the vessel STAR OF ALASKA. It regularly carried supplies and
cannery workers to Alaska in the spring and returned to San Francisco with cases of canned salmon in September. In 1930, STAR
OF ALASKA was the only sailing ship the Packers Association sent to the salmon fishing fields (they once had a fleet of 35).
The firm retired the vessel when it returned in September. In 1933, entrepreneurs Frank and Rose Kissinger purchased the vessel
from the Packers Association in 1933 for $5,000 and renamed it the PACIFIC QUEEN.
Restrictions
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.
Availability
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.