Map showing Island of California, circa 1650

Maritime history of California is a term used to describe significant past events relating to the U.S. State of California in areas concerning shipping, shipwrecks, and military installations and lighthouses constructed to protect or aid navigation and development of the state. The golden state has a rich and varied maritime legacy. Download high resolution version (8831x6301, 4625 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (8831x6301, 4625 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... Shipping is the transport of cargo between seaports by ships, typically large steel vessels powered by diesel engines or steam turbine plants. ... This list of shipwrecks is of those sunken ships whose remains have been located. ... The Peggys Point lighthouse in Nova Scotia, Canada An aid for navigation and pilotage at sea, a lighthouse is a tower building or framework sending out light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire. ... There are several traditions of navigation. ... From the latin maritimus, maritime refers to things relating to the sea. ...

Native California peoples and early explorers

Recent dating of middens on San Clemente Island (some 60 miles offshore) has documented an ancient maritime culture dating back some 8,000 years, perhaps earlier. Native California peoples lived in large settled villages along the Pacific coastline for many centuries before European contact. A midden, or kitchen midden, is a dump for domestic waste. ... View from space of Southern California coast, showing Santa Catalina Island (closer to mainland) and San Clemente Island (further from mainland). ...

Lammermoor, lost north of San Francisco on April 27, 1882 (not a total loss).

In some areas, such as along the Santa Barbara Channel and San Francisco Bay, people in these villages developed highly sophisticated canoes, with widespread trade using native watercraft. Boat construction reached its highest development in California among the Chumash. Their plank canoe, called a "tomol," impressed early explorers of the California coast for its versatility and seaworthiness. Image File history File links Lammermoor_at_anchor. ... Image File history File links Lammermoor_at_anchor. ... San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, and the Golden Gate The San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining of approximately forty percent of California, flowing in Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean. ... Canoe at El Nido, Philippines A canoe is a relatively small boat, typically human-powered, but also commonly sailed. ... Rafael, a Chumash in the 1800s Chumash The Chumash Indians, a Native American tribe, mainly inhabited the southern coastal regions of California, in the vicinity of what is now Santa Barbara and Ventura, extending as far south as Malibu. ...

Trading expeditions from the mainland were common to the Channel Islands to obtain steatite for soapstone bowls and effigy figurines. The remains of this prehistoric seafaring is being recorded by underwater archaeologists. At least 25 individual sites have been reported between Ventura Beach and Point Conception. An Egyptian carved and glazed steatite scarab amulet - circa 550 BC. Steatite (ste-a-tite), also known as Potstone and Lapis ollaris is a type of soapstone which is almost purely talc. ... A rare Dresden porcelain figurine Figurine is a diminutive form of the word figure, and generally refers to a small, human-made object that represents some sort of being. ... Archaeology or sometimes in American English archeology (from the Greek words αρχαίος = ancient and λόγος = word/speech) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains, including architecture, artefacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. ...

Channel Islands

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo’s caravels, Victoria and San Salvador, were the first recorded European vessels to visit California. They carefully made their way up the Pacific coast in 1542. The first galleon made a trans-Pacific crossing in 1565, and opened the Manila route to be followed for the next 250 years. Image File history File linksMetadata Channelislandsca. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Channelislandsca. ... Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo João Rodrigues Cabrilho (Portuguese) (ca. ... A caravel is a small, highly maneuverable, three-masted ship used by the Portuguese and Spanish for long voyages of exploration beginning in the 15th century. ... This article is about the continent. ... For other meanings of Pacific, see Pacific (disambiguation). ... Events War resumes between Francis I of France and Emperor Charles V. This time Henry VIII of England is allied to the Emperor, while James V of Scotland and Sultan Suleiman I are allied to the French. ... A Spanish galleon A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by the nations of Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries. ... Events March 1 - the city of Rio de Janeiro is founded April 27 - Cebu City is established becoming the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. ... Manilas President Manuel Roxas Boulevard also known as the Baywalk Manila (Filipino: Maynila) is the capital of the Philippines. ...

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo

Sir Francis Drake landed ashore on June 17, 1579, somewhere above Spain's most northerly claim at Point Loma, near the city of San Diego. Drake found an excellent port, landed, repaired and restocked his vessels, then stayed for a time, keeping friendly relations with the natives. Drake named the port New Albion (New England), and claimed it for England. It is usually assumed that Drake's port was somewhere near the northern San Francisco Bay. Image File history File links Juan_Rodríguez_Cabrillo. ... Image File history File links Juan_Rodríguez_Cabrillo. ... Events January 6 - The Union of Atrecht united the southern Netherlands under the Duke of Parma, governor in the name of king Philip II of Spain. ... Old Point Loma Lighthouse Jon Sullivan Point Loma is a scenic hill that sits atop San Diego Bay, in California, USA. Point Lomas well known landmark is the Cabrillo National Monument, named after Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo of Spain, the first European explorer to see San Diego Bay. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ...

Sir Francis Drake, circa 1581

The Farallon Islands and the mainland coast north of the Golden Gate Bridge have historically provided hazardous navigational obstacles to shipping. Year-round fogs and dangerous winds and storms often led ships to rocks and beaches to be pounded by the Pacific swells. Fierce currents have always swept in and out of the entrance to the Golden Gate. Many known shipwrecks litter the floor of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Image File history File links NPG_Drake. ... Image File history File links NPG_Drake. ... Events January 16 - English Parliament outlaws Roman Catholicism April 4 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. July 26 - The Northern Netherlands proclaim their independence from Spain in the Oath of Abjuration. ... County outline map of California, showing position of the Farallon Islands The Farallon Islands are a group of islands and rocks found in the Gulf of the Farallones, off the coast of mainland San Francisco, California. ... The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening into the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. ... Sunlight filters through a thin layer of fog on a crisp winter morning in Albuquerque, New Mexico. ... Wind is the roughly horizontal movement of air (as opposed to an air current) caused by uneven heating of the Earths surface. ... A rolling thundercloud over Enschede, Netherlands Heavy storm brought by Typhoon Sanvu in Hong Kong. ... The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is one of 13 marine sanctuaries in the U.S., found outside San Franciscos Golden Gate, and comprises part of the United Nations Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve . ...

The first recorded shipwreck in California is that of the San Augustin, a Spanish Manila galleon, which was driven ashore in a gale in 1595 and was anchored in Drake’s Bay, northwest of San Francisco. Thousands of vessels have been lost in the waters of the state in the following centuries. These ships, their cargoes, and the mooring systems which restrained them are the physical remains of the maritime history of California. Events January 30 - William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is performed for the first time. ...

More than 140 shipwrecks have been reported in the waters of the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Most of the maritime activity in the last 400 years has been focused on trade. The Spanish built missions around the Bay after 1776, which brought supply ships and foreign fur traders. Following Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, the port of Yerba Buena (later named San Francisco) gradually expanded into a regional trading center. New England's "Yankee Traders" and ships of European nations traded, whaled, and gathered furs and hides while using San Francisco as a base to re-supply their vessels. This article is about the year 1776. ... A dogs fur usually consists of longer, stiffer, guard hairs—which can be straight, wiry, or wavy, and of various lengths, hiding a soft, short-haired undercoat. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... The Flag of Plymouth Colony, also know as the First Flag of New England First Flag of New England, 1686-c. ... This article is about the continent. ...

Monterey Bay

On November 20, 1818 Hippolyte de Bouchard raided the Presidio of Monterey in Monterey, California. Bouchard, a French revolutionary who later became a citizen of Argentina, is sometimes referred to as California’s only pirate, although some Argentines prefer to use the term corsair. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3072x2048, 2193 KB)A view of the southern Monterey Bay, taken from Monterey with Seaside visible in the distance. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3072x2048, 2193 KB)A view of the southern Monterey Bay, taken from Monterey with Seaside visible in the distance. ... Hippolyte de Bouchard was a French revolutionary from Buenos Aires, Argentina. ... The military has played a role in the history of the Monterey Peninsula since 1770 when a small expedition led by captain Gaspar de Portola, officially took possession for Spain of what is now central California. ... Nickname: The Cradle of History, Californias First City Motto: {{{motto}}} Official website: http://www. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Revolution. ... A pirate digging…perhaps to bury treasure, perhaps a grave. ... Corsair can refer to: a pirate who used to operate in the Mediterranean Sea, see Corsair (pirate) a French airline, see: Corsair (airline) several aircraft of the US Navy: the O2U Corsair the F4U Corsair the A-7 Corsair II a kind of fireworks a poem, The Corsair, by Lord...

Traditional pirate flag

Since much of his crew died from scurvy, Bouchard went in search of new crew members in the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii), and then sailed to the coast near Mission Santa Bárbara and threatened the nearby town. Bouchard and his crew left without attacking after some soldiers from El Presidio de Santa Bárbara confronted them. Jolly Roger painted by myself in a few minutes. ... Jolly Roger painted by myself in a few minutes. ... Scurvy, known as Barlows disease in infants, is a disease that results from insufficient intake of vitamin C and leads to the formation of livid spots on the skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from almost all mucous membranes. ... The Sandwich Islands was the name given to Hawaii by Captain James Cook on his discovery of the islands on January 18, 1778. ... Official language(s) Hawaiian and English Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 43rd 28,337 km² n/a km 2,450 km 41. ... The capilla (chapel) at Mission Santa Bárbara in March, 2005. ... 2005 view of the restored portion of the Presidio The Presidio of Santa Barbara was a military installation in Santa Barbara, California, built by Spain in 1782, with the mission of defending the Second Military District in California. ...

The capilla (chapel) at Mission Santa Barbara

On December 14, 1818 Bouchard attacked Mission San Juan Capistrano and he and his crew damaged several buildings, including the Governor's house, the King's stores, and the barracks. Image File history File linksMetadata Sb_mission_view1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Sb_mission_view1. ... Painting of the mission Known as The Queen of the Missions, Mission Santa Bárbara in California was founded on December 4, 1786 by Father Fermin Lasuen, who had taken over the Presidency of the California mission chain upon the death of Father Junipero Serra. ... 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Pond inside Mission San Juan Capistrano Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano was founded on November 1, 1776 by Father Junipero Serra, the seventh mission in the California mission chain. ...

In 1846, at the outset of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), the California Republic was founded. The Republic came to a sudden end, however, when Commodore John D. Sloat of the United States Navy sailed into San Francisco Bay and claimed California for the United States. Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Strength 60,000 40,000 Casualties KIA: 1,733 Total dead: 13,283 Wounded: 4,152 25,000 (Mexican government estimate) The Mexican-American War was fought between the United States and Mexico between 1846 and 1848. ... Commodore John D. Sloat John Drake Sloat (July 6, 1781 – November 28, 1867) was a commodore in the United States Navy and, in 1846, claimed California for the United States. ...

Lighthouses

The firm of Francis A. Gibbons and Francis Kelly was awarded the contract to build California’s first seven lighthouses in 1853. By October of that year, the lighthouse on Alcatraz Island was built, and more than 40 lighthouses were eventually built along the coast. 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Alcatraz Island in 2005 Alcatraz Island (37°49′35″N, 122°25′21″W) is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay in California. ...

Point Reyes Lighthouse

While Point Reyes provided a landmark near San Francisco Bay, it also posed a hazard to sailors who navigated the nearby waters. In an attempt to reduce the number of wrecks and to provide aid in navigation along the rocky shores near the point, the U.S. Lighthouse Service built the Point Reyes Light Station in 1870. It provided mariners with guidance and aid for 105 years. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1618x1184, 350 KB)Point Reyes Lighthouse Taken 4/19/03 by User:Pretzelpaws with a Casio QV-3000EX camera. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1618x1184, 350 KB)Point Reyes Lighthouse Taken 4/19/03 by User:Pretzelpaws with a Casio QV-3000EX camera. ... Point Reyes Point Reyes is a prominent cape on the Pacific coast of northern California in the United States. ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Despite the efforts of the brave men and women who were stationed at the lighthouse, ships continued to wreck on the nearby coast. The Life Saving Service opened the first of two Life Saving Stations built at Point Reyes in 1889. The second station, at Drakes Beach, closed in 1968. The workers stationed there attempted the rescue of victims of storms and shipwrecks. The incredible danger of their job can be sensed in their unofficial motto, "You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back in." 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... A rolling thundercloud over Enschede, Netherlands Heavy storm brought by Typhoon Sanvu in Hong Kong. ...

International maritime signal flags (numbers 0 - 9) Image File history File links ICS_Zero. ... Image File history File links ICS_One. ... Image File history File links ICS_Two. ... Image File history File links ICS_Three. ... Image File history File links ICS_Four. ... Image File history File links ICS_Five. ... Image File history File links ICS_Six. ... Image File history File links ICS_Seven. ... Image File history File links ICS_Eight. ... Image File history File links ICS_Niner. ... The system of international maritime signal flags is a way of representing individual letters of the alphabet in signals to or from ships. ...

Recent discoveries

Discovery of the remains of an 1850 Baltimore clipper has sparked tremendous interest in the early history of Mendocino County. The Frolic, which wrecked in a small cove near the Caspar headlands, was carrying a cargo of trade goods to gold rush California. The artifacts provide a glimpse of the flurry of activity that brought people and goods from all over the world to the golden state. Silver tinder boxes, oyster shell window glass, and Chinese porcelains have been recovered and exhibited. The wreck site remains an impressive historical feature. It has recently become leased to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. 1850 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the city in the US state of Maryland. ... Mendocino County is a county located on Californias north coast, north of the San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma County and west of the Central Valley. ... Ostrea edulis, Marennes dOléron Ostrea edulis, Marennes dOléron The name oyster is used for a number of different groups of mollusks which grow for the most part in marine or brackish water. ... A rare Dresden porcelain figurine Porcelain is a hard ceramic material. ... The California Department of Parks and Recreation manages the California state parks system, which contains 1. ...

Gold rush shipwrecks have also been recently documented in the Sacramento River. The La Grange and Sterling, former sailing vessels that carried pioneers around the horn to the California gold fields in 1849, ended their days tied to the Sacramento levee. A spring at the Sacramento River headwater The Sacramento River is the longest river in the state of California. ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Port of San Diego

San Diego has become the home port of the largest naval fleet in the world, and includes two supercarriers, as well as Marine Corps stations, U.S. Navy ports, and US Coast Guard installations. Image File history File links Naval Station San Diego logo; http://www. ... USS , a typical supercarrier, and HMS Illustrious, a light V/STOL aircraft carrier on a joint patrol. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... Canadian Coast Guard ship and helicopter A coast guard is an organization devoted to saving the lives of shipwrecked mariners or people in danger at sea. ...

International maritime signal flags Image File history File links ICS_Alpha. ... Image File history File links ICS_India. ... Image File history File links ICS_Lima. ... Image File history File links ICS_Mike. ... Image File history File links ICS_November. ... Image File history File links ICS_Papa. ... Image File history File links ICS_Uniform. ... Image File history File links ICS_Victor. ...

See also

• History of California

Although the present-day State of California has been occupied for millennia, the lack of a written record and the significant marginalization in the population of native inhabitants after European colonization means that most of the known history of California begins with European exploration. ...

References

• Hipólito (Hypolite) Bouchard and the Raid of 1818 – [1]
• Lamermoore – [2]
• Shipwreck database – [3]
• Maritime History of Point Reyes – [4]
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary – [5]
• The Lighthouses of California – [6]
• This article contains text from the National Park Service, which is in the Public domain

The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ...

External links

• Abandoned Shipwreck Act Guidelines - [7]
• Maritime Museum of San Diego - [8]