Ferryboat Sausalito History

Kathie's December 2010 Article

I gave a report to the membership about having the pleasure of giving a group of men from the “Steamship Historical Society” a tour of our Museum and Ferry. They loved our Museum and Ferry. Only one of them had visited the Sausalito before and that was 35 years ago. It is so rewarding to give tours to groups that have so much knowledge of the old ships of the bay. I learn as much as they do.

One of the things they pointed out were the “hog chains” on top of the Ferry. When I got home and did some research on “hog chains,” the following is what I found out: “Hog Chain is a system of chains and rods to prevent wooden hulls from sagging, or hogging under heavy loads. The hull of the western steamships tends to warp up in the middle and sag at the extremities. This hog chain system is a preventative. Hog chains extended from the forward hull, up over the hurricane deck and back down to the stern. They could be tightened or loosened as needed by means of turnbuckles.”

Christmas with Santa is coming on December 11. I am looking forward to singing with the children before Santa arrives. Be sure to mark the children’s presents with their name and age and have your guests write your name on the children’s presents as this will help Freda to identify and get photos to the proper person.

This is a very special night for all the children because they know that the real Santa comes to the Ferry! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from your Historian, Kathie Hammer.

Kathie's November 2010 Article

George Harlan writes in his book, San Francisco Bay Ferryboats, that “for 117 years ferryboats have been part of the colorful scene on San Francisco Bay."

The double-ended ferries carried passengers, livestock, railroad cars, and eventually autos. They were a very important part of the growth of San Francisco.

It is hard to believe that many people rode the ferries everyday to get to work. Many of these people played cards aboard the boats and these games lasted for years. The ferry companies provided large racks to hold the cards. They were kept in wooden stacks on both decks, with the inscription stenciled on it saying, "Please return to rack when you are through." The commuters themselves supplied the cards.

The commuter not only had a group he liked to sit with, but he also had his own seat aboard the boat. A newcomer dared not to sit in that seat; it was valued as much as a seat on the stock exchange.

Restaurants on the Northwestern Pacific boats served the commuters that were in a hurry. They prepared in-between snacks for them to eat to and from work or they could get a full meal with time for a second cup of coffee.

Kathie's October 2010 Article

I would like to thank several people that have taken extra time to keep the historical spirit alive on the Sausalito.

Thanks to Rod Miller for finding, purchasing and donating the book, “San Francisco Bay Ferryboats,” by George Harlan. This book is out of print and has very valuable, correct information about all the San Francisco Bay ferries.

Thank you also to Bob Garrett who is always thinking of the museum. He brought in an antique boat motor which we are not sure at this time where we might show it, but appreciate his thoughtfulness.

A special thank you to Dave Selvy and our Commodore and his wife Shirley for getting the Northwestern logo made for the side of our Ferry. I have been trying for years to get this done and it will be a great addition to make our Sausalito look like she did in 1894. All of the ferryboats had the logo of the company that owned them and the Northwestern Pacific logo is particularly beautiful with a large redwood tree in the center with mountains behind and the words Northwestern Pacific circling it. When it is put up on the west side of the Ferry it is going to look spectacular.

Kathie's September 2010 Article

So many of the old ferries disappeared without the fanfare they deserved. There are a few books about them, but many were thrown away without regard of their importance to the history of The Bay. The bridges were very important, but without the ferries there would not be a San Francisco as we know it today.

The Amador was built in 1869 for the Central Pacific. She was a single-ender for both river boating and ferrying. In 1878, she became a double-ender. The captain in the wheelhouse would steer with his left hand while his right hand would be on the telegraph, signaling orders to the engineers. The Amador was retired in 1904 and served as a clubhouse for the University of California rowing crews. In 1915, she was blown up in a fireboat demonstration at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

Thank goodness our Sausalito was saved and has been appreciated by so many.

Kathie's August 2010 Article

I have mentioned before, that our Sausalito ran into the Ferryboat San Rafael on November 30, 1901. It was 6 o’clock in the evening on a very foggy evening.

In mid 1900, the San Rafael left her dock still providing a wonderful ride for her passengers even though she was 23 years old. She was known as the “Queen of San Francisco’s ferry fleet.” However, on this particular day the passengers got their money’s worth. The details were reported the next day in the Berkeley Gazette: “Yesterday afternoon the ferry San Rafael ran into a whale. After leaving Sausalito at one o’clock, the form of a whale rose above the surface of the water dead ahead and the ferryboat bumped against it with considerable force. The keel of the vessel slid over the whale, which had apparently been pressed down by the weight, and a moment later rose at the stern of the boat. Blowing up a column of water, the monster disappeared. Everybody on board the San Rafael felt in shock and the engineer and foremen rushed on deck to learn the cause.”

Kathie's July 2010 Article

One of the things the passengers enjoyed the most about the old ferryboats is being able look into the set of glass windows located between the engine fidley and the main cabin to see the main engine in motion while the vessel was under way. It was always the hope of all youngsters to be able take a seat close to the fidley windows so they could press their noses against the window pane that separated them from the magic connecting rod whose up and down motion held them spellbound.

This wonderful spectacle came to an abrupt ending in 1922 when our ferry Sausalito was making a run from San Francisco to Sausalito. The walking beam broke in a critical spot. The main connecting rod tore loose, taking with it a good portion of the hurricane deck. At the same time, the walking beam clattered down into the cabin, creating a panic among the passengers. Shortly thereafter, all of the windows which had the wonderful view of the engine were boarded up. Much of the fascination of the ferryboats disappeared when the fidley windows were covered.

Kathie's June 2010 Article

With many new members to our Club, I would like to tell the history of the 4S Cruise weekend.

On July 23-25 Sportsmen YC will host the 57th 4S Cruise.

The 4S started in 1953 when four yacht clubs (Sportsmen, Sacramento, Stockton, and San Joaquin) 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 57 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.

Kathie's May 2010 Article

Many articles about ferries have been written over the years. The following is one of my favorites. As you read it, it is almost like being there.

On January 5, 1964, Herb Caen wrote the following in the San Francisco Chronicle.

“During the century of ferryboats, the San Franciscan was very much a part of his watery heritage. Blast of whistle and slap of paddlewheel, sunlight dappling the swells, the breathless excitement of crossing in heavy fog . . . these were all his for only a few pennies . . . the Bay became your personal world. You knew Peg-Leg Pete, the one legged seagull. You applauded ‘the Caruso of the Ferries,’ the boatman who sang operatic arias . . . Ferryboats were filled with the dignity of the era and the excitement of approaching the city on its own watery terms.”

When Caen wrote this, the commuter ferryboats had been gone from the North Bay for 23 years; it would be 1970 before they returned.

Kathie's April 2010 Article

In the 1930’s, you would see long lines of people at the Northwestern Pacific Railroad’s ticket window in the San Francisco Ferry Building. It would start at 7:00 am as vacationers bought tickets to travel to vacationland along the Russian River. These people where heading for Monte Rio and Guernewood Park. The big sliding door would open at exactly 7:45 to board the ferry boat to Sausalito where you climbed aboard the steam trains. The gate keeper would call out, “All Aboard for Point Reyes, Tomales, Occidental, Camp Meeker, Monte Rio, Duncan Mills, and Cazadero Narrow Gauge Train Number 8.” It would only take about 3 minutes to load the ferry. Then with a huge splash the giant side wheels would start to turn and she was on her way.

As a child I heard many stories from my mother how her family would take this trip to Monte Rio and they would rent a cottage for the summer. Those were the days.

Kathie's February/March 2010 Article

I received this several years ago and loved it, so I put it in my file and now would like to share it with you. I don’t think many children today know what an apron is, even though aprons are making a comeback.

The History of Grandma’s Apron

The principle use of Grandma’s apron was to protect her dress underneath. She only had a few dresses, aprons used less material, were easier to wash, and an apron could serve as a potholder for removing hot pots from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children’s tears and, on occasion, was even used for cleaning out dirty ears!

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy children. When the weather was cold, she wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields for dinner.

When men sailed out to sea, the apron was used to wave goodbye and when they returned it welcomed them back.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that “old-time apron” that served so many purposes.

Remember: Grandma used her apron to set her hot baked pies on the window sill to cool; her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

People would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron...I don’t think anyone ever caught anything from her apron!

Author Unknown

Kathie's January 2010 Article

FROM AN OLD LETTER DATED 1936

We are taking this method of getting better acquainted with you. If you are a lover of out-of-door life, hunting, fishing or any sport, then this letter will be of interest to you and your family.

We are hoping you contemplate joining, in the near future, some sporting organization in the East Bay. Before doing so, be fair to yourself and 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 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 an 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 amazing 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 start a 8:00 p.m. SPORTSMEN INC. invites you to come and get acquainted. You are under no obligation.

Sincerely yours,

SPORTMEN INC.

If you should happen to have old newspaper articles, photos, other artifacts, or personal knowledge relevant to the history of The Ferryboat Sausalito, please contact Historian Kathie Hammer. Please see "Contact SYC Staff" on Home page.
Thank you.

Home