October 19, 2014

Hyde Street Pier -- playground of maritime photo-ops


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photo by Donald Kinney

Commercial fishing based at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf still goes on, but the area has largely been taken over by a dizzying number of tourist oriented shops and restaurants. To escape the general tackiness of the area, all we have to do is take a short walk west to Hyde Street Pier, operated by the National Park Service. Admission is only $5. Oldsters like yours-truly with a N.P.S. "senior pass" get in free.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Here we will find the well preserved 1886 square-rigger, Balcutha. By that date in history steam power had revolutionized the speed of shipping, but wind-powered boats such as the Balcutha remained the most economical way of moving freight vast distances on the highways of the sea.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Other water-craft on display is the 1895 schooner C.A. Thayer, the 1890 steam ferryboat Eureka, the 1891 scow schooner Alma, the 1907 steam tug Hercules, the 1914 paddlewheel tub Eppleton Hall, a furnished 1890 San Francisco Bay Ark, and the 1915 steam schooner Wapama.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Imagine my delight when I saw these rather artistic designs on the water. After a while I noticed some rather curious looks from other visitors who were probably wondering what-in-god's-name I was snapping.


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1 comment:

Nancy Ewart said...

I really like that place - when I want to excape the ongoing construction and crowds in my area, I brave the 47/49 bus down to that end of the city. I love wandering around, looking at the water, watching the clouds and the birds and smelling the sea breeze. You have captured it perfectly.

 
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