Ask The Dust: Snapshots and Artifacts from the Maritime Collection // June, 2011
"Ask The Dust captures details from the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park's archived collection---the preservation of boats and their ephemera, some awaiting restoration, others arrested in various states of decay, each with a tale to tell. Photographs are displayed in frames handmade from scrap lumber from the C. A. Thayer restoration project, and are displayed alongside a variety of "artifacts" from the artist's own maritime collection, a whimsical take on what we consider worthy of preserving and why."
(All Photos by Mariah Gardner)
Item #1: Currently un-cataloged (Balclutha Sails)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper. Frame handmade of douglas fir from the C.A. Thayer restoration project (not shown).
In her sailing days the square-rigged Balclutha would’ve used up to 25 sails carrying grain, lumber and various cargo between the Pacific Northwest, Europe and the East Coast, before doing a stint salmon fishing as Star of Alaska for the Alaska Packer’s Association. Starring roles also include the film “Mutiny on the Bounty” alongside Clark Gable. In her sailing life she rounded Cape Horn 17 times.
Item #2: SAFR 21252 (Snow Squall)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper. Frame handmade of douglas fir from the C.A. Thayer restoration project (not shown).
Known as one of the fastest ships of her time (built in 1851 in Cape Elizabeth, Maine and used for trade between New York and the Far East) the clipper Snow Squall was able to outrun Confederate privateers who preyed on Union cargo ships. In 1864 on her fourth passage around Cape Horn she went ashore near The Falklands and was grounded for use as a jetty. 1987 saw her sail again, this time surrounded by researchers and archeologists, as part of her hull was returned to the U.S. and divided between maritime museums across the country.
Item #3: SAFR 15619 (Ship’s Wheel)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper. Frame handmade of douglas fir from the C.A. Thayer restoration project (not shown).
Wooden ship’s wheel, 10 spokes. No more no less.
Item #4: SAFR 15752 (Diver’s Suit)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper. Frame handmade of douglas fir from the C.A. Thayer restoration project (not shown).
Full length canvas suit with attached canvas mitts and booties. May answer to the name of Raoul.
Item #5: SAFR 20406 (Rumrunner)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper. Frame handmade of douglas fir from the C.A. Thayer restoration project (not shown).
Custom built in 1928 to run liquor during prohibition, she was owned by the same family since the 1930’s and moored in Corte Madera Creek until her donation to the collection. Built to outrun authorities, get in and out of tight squeezes and bring booze to the people.
Item #6: SAFR 20443 (Evinrude Motor)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper. Frame handmade of douglas fir from the C.A. Thayer restoration project (not shown).
Circa 1939 single-cylinder gasoline powered outboard engine. Simplicity and style.
Item #7: SAFR 8791 (Mermaid)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper.
In 1962, unbeknownst to his parents, 23 year old Kenichi Horie set out from Osaka, bound for San Francisco in his 19-ft Mermaid. In doing so, he became the first person to make a non-stop solo crossing of the Pacific Ocean. At the end of his 94-day journey, he sailed through the Golden Gate and was promptly rewarded with arrest for having no papers, money or passport. His sentence was short-lived as he was soon released by Mayor Christopher and presented with the key to our fair city. In his home country of Japan he became a national hero.
Item #8: SAFR 14643 (Munsen Hydroplane Racer)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper.
The C-171 was one of three tiny wooden kit boats built and raced throughout the Sacramento River by the Munsen Brothers. During the 1940’s and 50’s they trailered them to races, worked on their own engines and wore red and white polka-dotted outfits to match their brightly painted little racers.
Item #9: SAFR 9892 (Niantic)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper.
Built in 1835, the whaling ship Niantic was run aground in San Francisco during the Gold Rush (having lost her crew to “California Fever”) and subsequently converted into a storehouse and hotel at the corner of Montgomery and Clay. Various fires took their toll and each time her hull was more completely entombed underground. In 1978, construction crews stumbled upon her again, but the hurried pace of the modern age left little time for preservation and she was built over once more; remains from this short excavation are part of the SFMNHP Collection. Worth noting: When the Niantic Hotel burned in 1872 35 baskets of champagne were found in in the remains of the hold. A final basket was unearthed, intact, in the excavation of 1978.
Item #10: SAFR 19187 (Otago)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper. Frame handmade of douglas fir from the C.A. Thayer restoration project (not shown).
Built in 1869, the barque Otago was the only sea-going ship ever captained by Joseph Conrad. Shortly after this captainship in the late 1880’s Conrad would go on to command a river steamer in the Belgian Congo. And write a famous novel.
Item #11: SAFR 20418 (Rowing Skiff)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper. Frame handmade of douglas fir from the C.A. Thayer restoration project (not shown).
Lapstrake rowing gig built in 1909 by A.L. Rogers in Alameda. Raced in the bay by competitive rowing clubs like the Dolphin and South End, who continue the tradition to this day.
Item #12: SAFR 7578 (Barber’s Chairs)
Description: Digital C-Print on archival paper. Frame handmade of douglas fir from the C.A. Thayer restoration project (not shown).
Circa 1905. Metal plate on back of chair reads: “Congress Pedestal Hydraulic/ PAT. Dec 2, 1887. Dec 22, 1895. Dec 5, 1901/ Koken Barber’s Supply Co. St. Louis.” Anyone read McTeague?
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Eureka-sized thanks to Mssrs. Franklin, Hillscan, Muir (the red), Muir (the white), Koperski, Morris, Rucker and Jannini, not to mention the ever-knowledgeable Diane Cooper