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Ships Buried Beneath the Streets of San Francisco


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When the 49ers (the real ones not the football team!) came to California, many of them arrived in Yerba Buena Cove on tall ships, as this was the fastest mode of transportation. Some of these ships were abandoned and left to rot in the water, as the crews and the passengers dashed for the gold fields and took up tin pans.

Over the years, the wharves were extended out into Yerba Buena Cove. Buildings were erected on the wharves, then the whole thing was filled in, often, right over the hulk of a rotting ship. Today, landfill exists where there was once a thriving harbor full of more than 500 ships.

Periodically, during construction projects, the remains are found of the old tall masted ships that brought our ancestors here to seek their fortunes.

This Article will give you more detailed history about the history behind these ships

This Map will show you the known locations of ships beneath the streets. Be sure to see the legend on the lower right hand corner for details.

-Claire "Poison Quill" Warren

Pyrate Mum of Tales of the Seven Seas

www.talesofthesevenseas.com

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I'm supposed to do some brief history presentations for the Waterfront Festival in SF this fall and was thinking it would be neat to go around and photograph the modern surface locations of each ship. It would be kinda bizarre to see the modern office buildings, restaurants etc.. and know that a ship is right underneath!!

-Claire "Poison Quill" Warren

Pyrate Mum of Tales of the Seven Seas

www.talesofthesevenseas.com

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Many were disasssambled and used to start construction of buildings, as the bay mud proved hard to build on, so, they would lay they ships planks parallel to perimeter walls, then start the brick columns on the planks, spreading the load over the mud instead of sinking in it. These small brick buildings today still survive most quakes without sustaining any damage! AH! Still serving in their afterlife! B)

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