Northern Waterfront in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Old Ship Saloon
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2021
1. Old Ship Saloon Marker
After a 178 day voyage from New York via Cape Horn in 1849 the sailing ship "Arkansas" arrived in San Francisco Bay. Among her 112 passengers were 76 Methodists, all bound for the gold fields or church propagation. The ship was nearly lost while anchoring off Bird Island, now Alcatraz, then was towed and purposely grounded in Yerba Buena Cove. Here an entrepreneur cut a hole in her bow creating an instant saloon. The ship's colorful past has included a seaman's bar, boarding house, bordello, and a "Shanghai Shop", yet the old ship has never lost its main attraction, that of a first rate saloon.
by Capitulus Redivivus
Yerba Buena Number One
Ancient and Honorable
Order of
E Clampsus Vitus
Credo Quia Absurdum
Erected 2002 by Yerba Buena Chapter Number One, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 23, 1831.
Location. 37° 47.863′ N, 122° 24.043′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ship Brooklyn (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clark’s Point (about 400 feet away); Graceful Brick Building (about 500 feet away); 56 Gold Street (about 700 feet away); Hotaling Building (about 800 feet away); 901 battery (about 800 feet away); The Banking Firm of Pioche et Bayerque (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the Bank of Lucas, Turner & Co. (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Regarding Old Ship Saloon. In 1851, enterprising Englishman Joe Anthony cut a door into the side of the Arkansas' hull and converted it to the Old Ship Ale House. He installed a gangplank to the Pacific Street pier and posted a sign next to the entrance, "Gud, Bad, and Indifferent Spirits Sold Here! At 25 cents each.
Also see . . . The Old Ship Saloon. Atlas Obscura entry (Submitted on February 27, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 18, 2010
2. Old Ship Saloon - Est. 1851
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 18, 2010
3. Old Ship Saloon
The marker is visible here just to the right of the front entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,634 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 13, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3. submitted on July 19, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
