San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park

Near Fisherman's Wharf, along the waterfront at the Hyde Street Pier, is the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. Docked here are a number of historic ships from the late 19th and early 20th Century, which have been restored to their former glory. Even if you are not a maritime history buff, the setting here with the old ships on the waterfront is beautiful just to see.

Some of the ships can be toured and there are a number of interesting programs on offer. The rangers offer interpretive programs for adults and children that include walking tours of the waterfront or bird watching for children.

Some of the ships here have interesting histories and unique stories.
"Eureka": a paddle-driven ferry which was in operation from 1890 to 1957. It carried passengers between Marin County and Oakland. In its day it was the largest passenger ferry in the world.

"C. A. Thayer": a sailing schooner built in 1895. First used in the timber trade it then carried salted salmon and finally, up until 1950, was used for cod-fishing in the Bering Sea.

"Wapama": a steam schooner of 1915. Carried mainly timber but also had some passenger cabins.

"Alma": a two-masted lighter built in 1891 for carrying coal, sand, timber, etc. in San Francisco Bay and the adjoining rivers; in use until 1958.

"Hercules": a deep-sea tug which operated from West Coast harbors from 1907 to 1962.

Historic ships at other moorings:

"Balclutha" (Pier 43): a steel-hulled sailing vessel built in England in 1886, in use until 1954, and now restored to its original state. Mainly used to carry coal round Cape Horn to San Francisco and grain back to Europe.