On June 10th, I had the pleasure of taking Ethan Horton’s fourth grade class from the Cornerstone Christian School, in Antioch, through our Ferry and Museum.

Forty boys and girls arrived by bus for a field trip to our historic Sausalito. I met two of their teachers and several parent chaperones. When they arrived we had them sit in chairs and I was able to tell them about the history of our Ferry and asked them to close their eyes and pretend they were out in the middle of the San Francisco Bay on a foggy afternoon; I asked them to raise their hands if they could hear the fog horns and the bells rung by hand so the ferries wouldn’t collide. They all raised their hands.

I asked if they knew who was President in 1894; how many of you could answer that? They all knew it was Grover Cleveland and that he was President for two terms, from 1885-1889 and 1893-1897. What a smart class.

They asked many wonderful questions and were very interested in everything about our Ferry and her history. I found it very rewarding to be able to share so much history and have them be so involved.

Next, we divided them into groups of 10 children. I took one group through the museum and Keith took one through our cabin, then we traded. The other groups were shown the upstairs by Commodore Steve and Doug Horton.

The children were very well behaved; it was a pleasure to show them around and share history.

After their tours, Doug and Shari served hotdogs, chips and juice drinks. It was a great day had by all.

With many new members to our Club, I would like to tell the history of the 4S Cruise weekend. On July 17-19, Sacramento YC will host the 56th 4S cruise. 

The 4S started in 1953 when four yacht clubs (Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sacramento, and Sportsmen) got together for an ‘Over The Bottom’ race. The host club would serve sandwiches at the end of the race. This event has changed a great deal in 56 years. Now it is a three day event with games, food, entertainment and fun! 

In 1986, Sportsmen YC donated a perpetual trophy which is still in use today, with a few minor repairs here and there.  In 1994 Sportsmen started the tradition of presenting medals to all the game winners. 

The 4S is a wonderful event where old friendships are renewed and new friendships are made. It is a weekend like no other all year. We promise you will have a great time.  

Hope to see everyone there.   

More from the article written in the Martinez News Gazette, titled “THE PASSING OF ANOTHER TRANSPORTATION ERA, THE MARTINEZ-BENICIA FERRY SYSTEM.”

In 1860, the Wells Fargo Pony Express carried mail from St. Jo, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. From Sacramento the mail was taken to San Francisco by boat. On the second trip, there was no boat to pick up the mail. The rider, with fresh horses, rode on to Benicia, crossed over to Martinez on the “Carquinez” (Captained by O.C.Coffin), and rode on to Oakland.  When the “Carquinez” was condemned, the “Benicia” was built and the engines were transferred to the new boat.

It is reported that Messrs. Shirley and Mizner operated the “Benicia” between Martinez and Benicia, landing at the foot of Ferry Street, Martinez.  In 1878, they sold out to the Northern Railway Company and this company with the San Pablo and Tulare Railway Company, constructed the first railroad through the City of Martinez.  

More from the article written in the Martinez News Gazette, titled “THE PASSING OF ANOTHER TRANSPORTATION ERA, THE MARTINEZ-BENICIA FERRY SYSTEM.”  

In 1853, a steam ferry was built in New York, brought via the Horn to Martinez,  launched in the spring of 1854, and began a regular service in July. It was owned by Captain O.C. Coffin, Charles G. Coffin and Henry Coffin and was called the “Carquinez.” There was a large volume of business in carrying stock across the Straits. A large corral was built where the depot grounds of the Southern Pacific now are. It was composed of cordwood which was used on the ferry to generate steam. The sticks were four feet long and the corral was built six feet high. There was always enough wood on hand to keep a good corral. The charge was $1.00 per head for cattle. The ferry also carried mail and passengers as there were many school children going to and from Benicia.  

Don Lucido recently sent me a wonderful article from the Martinez News Gazette dated 1849-1962. It is titled “THE PASSING OF ANOTHER TRANSPORTATION ERA, THE MARTINEZ-BENICIA FERRY SYSTEM.” 

It starts with a story from the early days prior to the Gold Rush. A gentleman by the name of Dr. Semple, of Benicia, often had occasion to cross the Carquinez Straits on business. Whenever he wanted to return to Benicia, he would make smoke signals on the Martinez side and his friends would send over a boat to pick him up and take him home. Shortly, there was a need for an organized system and in 1849 he established the first ferry running from a point now the site of Alhambra Cemetery in Martinez. The boat was propelled by oars at first and then a wheel was put on and run by horsepower. 

In 1851, Captain O.C. Coffin put on the first flat bottom boat, the “IONE” and carried passengers from Antioch to Collinsville. He later brought the boat to Martinez, remodeled it, as it had been run by horsepower, put in an engine and gave regular service between Martinez and Benicia until July 1854. There was no ferry slip or wharf at that time. An apron was use to land passengers and vehicles. The landing was at the foot of Ferry Street. Later the “IONE” became a float for a pile driver and when her days of usefulness were over she was run aground in the tulles and her hull gradually rotted.  

Recently Margaret Badger, from the Sausalito Historical Society, contacted me to ask for a tour of our Sausalito Ferry. She wanted to gather information to write an article in their newsletter, “Moments in Time.”

I met Margaret on Saturday morning, January 24th.  I took her on a tour of the upstairs, then to our Museum.  She brought me a copy of their newsletter from the Fall 2007 in which she wrote an article about Galilee, which was a west coast brigantine of the late 1800s. I will tell you more about that vessel in the near future.

Margaret loved our ferry and couldn’t believe she was in such good shape after 115 years. I was able to share history that she was excited to learn about and she has promised to share her article with us.  

The following letter was sent August 11, 1936, and was signed by W. Balslry. 

Dear Friend and Fellow Sportsmen: 

We are taking this method of getting better acquainted with you. If you are a lover of out-of-door life, hunting, fishing, of any sport, then this letter will be of interest to you and your family. We are hoping that you contemplate joining, in the near future, some sporting organization in the East Bay. 

Before doing so, be fair to yourself and to us, and consider the advantages we have to offer. You will want to receive dollar for dollar in your investment and we feel sure that we have  one of the finest propositions that can be offered to any sportsmen.   

Are you looking for a place just one and a half hours ride from home, where you can take your family and enjoy a real outing, swimming, sandy beach for the children, boating, shade trees and picnic facilities?  

Are you looking for a place where you can really catch fish and enjoy a real rest away from the hum of the motor car and noise of the city?  Would you like to have interest in a floating clubhouse, 285 feet long and 72 feet wide? Perhaps you will say that there is no such place, but we can assure you that we have all this to offer you, and more, at an amazingly low cost per month. 

If this is of interest to you, attend one of our regular meetings on the first or third Thursday of each month, in the School Administration Building, 3rd floor, Second Avenue and E Twelfth St. Oakland, California. The meeting starts at 8:00p.m. SPORTSMEN INC. invites you to come and get acquainted. You are under no obligation. 

Sincerely Yours, 
SPORTSMEN INC.