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Photographer: Cosmos Mariner
Taken: July 11, 2014
Caption: Fort Ross Loading Chute Diorama (located inside Visitor Center)
Additional Description: This diorama depicts the Fort Ross loading chute which was used from 1868 to 1898. It was built by James Dixon when he and his partner Charles Fairfax owned Fort Ross from 1867 to 1873. Lumber, tan oak bark, and later firewood and split stakes, were shipped to San Francisco. Cargo was transferred from the marine terrace down to sailing schooners anchored in the cove north of the fort. The chute was flexible so it could be raised or lowered by means of ropes and pulleys.

In December of 1898 the Fort Ross chute collapsed in a bad storm, and was replaced with a different loading arrangement by George W. Call, the owner at that time. Similar chutes were built and used in other small coves, known as "dogholes," along the California North Coast. Each chute was adapted to the conditions of its particular location. Travel by land was difficult, and the sea served as the highway along the coast during the 1860's, 70's and 80's. The Fort Ross cove had deeper water and more shelter from the prevailing winds than any other cove between San Francisco and Eureka, and was a busy small harbor.

Diorama by Ben Cummings
Chute Model by George Call Pearce & John W. Stafford
Submitted: April 5, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Database Locator Identification Number: p422011
File Size: 5.619 Megabytes

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