Aboard Balclutha

As promised, I finally paid the Balclutha a visit last week. You may remember the Balclutha from such blog posts as  My ship has come in! and A pox on this house!? It was a brilliant sunny day when I arrived just in time for the 2:15 pm ranger tour. It was led by a volunteer who was very charming and knowledgeable. We heard all about the hardships of life aboard during the age of sail. Although I admit that while rocking gently at the pier on a warm sunny day made it a little more difficult to imagine. A group of 5th graders were participating in an overnight program that puts them to work so they can experience the life of a sailor firsthand. It seemed really neat! Here's a short photographic tour of my experience.

Land Ho!

At the beginning of a voyage sometimes they'd keep a pig in here...for awhile

Captain's quarters

Captain's bathroom

Sacks of grain...Balclutha's career included the second "gold rush"...grain.

As well as hauling Salmon from Alaska and canned fruit from the Cannery on Fisherman's Wharf

Two SF icons. There was no mention of stocking up on Ghirardelli chocolate before long voyages.

Two more SF icons

Commercial shipping: then and now

Ranger Al even made an appearance

If you get the chance definitely pay a visit to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park because the other ships were also really interesting and the exhibits and tours are very well done!