Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Forecastle...

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 4, 2017

1. The Forecastle... Marker

Captions: (upper left) An old style foc's'le below below decks; (lower left) THE SEA LAWYER Almost every crew had its agitator who found no good in anything: who urged the men to demand this and that from the captain, but, like the Duke of Plazatorra, led his regiment from behind. He was never bold enough to take his own grievances aft and his ravings soon fell on deaf ears.; (lower right) A DOG-WATCH CONCERT In order that the crew would not have the same time "on and off" every day, there were two short watches: from four p.m. 'til six and from six 'til eights. During these 'dog watches' fair weather usually found all hands around the fore hatch - mending washing or having a "sing song."

Inscription. The sailors lived forward in the forecastle ( pronounced foc's'le); the captain and mates lived aft in more comfortable surroundings.
Sailors found the Balclutha's cramped quarters a great improvement over those earlier, smaller ships where the crew berthed below the main deck in a tiny forecastle entered via a small scuttle and narrow ladder. While the increased size of ships in Balclutha's day permitted crew quarters above the main deck under a raised forecastle, the seamen now had the ship's anchor windlass as a cumbersome centerpiece in their triangular bedroom. "A piano in the foc's'le" was their expression for this arrangement.
Nowadays the law forbids locating the crew's quarters in the bow of the ship because of the exposed condition in case of collision.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 37° 48.576′ N, 122° 25.338′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Fisherman's Wharf. Marker is on Hyde Street near Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2950 Hyde Street, San Francisco CA 94109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Cathead... (here, next to this marker); The Half-Deck

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); The Deckhouse (a few steps from this marker); Steam Tug Hercules (a few steps from this marker); Ship Balclutha (a few steps from this marker); Towing in the Open Ocean (a few steps from this marker); Workin' on the Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Balclutha (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

More about this marker. This marker is located on the main deck of the Balclutha near the bow.

The Forecastle and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 4, 2017

2. The Forecastle and Marker

Inside the Forecastle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 4, 2017

3. Inside the Forecastle

showing the Windlass and in the background the Sailor's Berths.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 309 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.