In 1848, the year of the gold discovery, Steamboat Slough was referred to as the “Middle Fork” of the Sacramento River, winding among several islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. As the Gold Rush brought thousands into the region, it became the preferred route over the “old river” because it was more than eight Continue reading Steamboat Slough
Tag: Steamships
Gold Rush Steamboats
Before the California gold discovery, steam engines propelled riverboats over inland waterways, but ocean-going vessels were ships under sail. Yet when the siren call of gold beckoned, speed was the prime consideration—and very quickly steam-powered ships were upgraded and pressed into service as ocean transport. Continue reading Gold Rush Steamboats
The Pioneers: William Leidesdorff
Already a highly successful, enterprising businessman, William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. arrived in San Francisco in 1841, when it was still a muddy village named Yerba Buena. He had made the voyage from New York as master of the schooner Julia Ann, stopping to trade in various South American ports, Hawaii, and Continue reading The Pioneers: William Leidesdorff
Steamboat Slough
In 1848, the year of the gold discovery, Steamboat Slough was referred to as the “Middle Fork” of the Sacramento River, winding among several islands in the Delta. As the Gold Rush brought thousands into the region, it became the preferred route over the “old river” because it was more than eight miles shorter and several Continue reading Steamboat Slough
Gold Rush Cocktail
As legend has it the world famous, popular libation the martini was invented for hard-fisted California gold miners in 1849, only back then it was called a “Martinez.” San Francisco was the major port, and gold-seekers journeyed from Continue reading Gold Rush Cocktail