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

Steam Donkey Engine

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, October 7, 2023

1. Steam Donkey Engine Marker

Updated Marker

Inscription. Donkey engines like this one were common along the waterfront from the 1880s into the 1920s. These portable steam winches were used as auxiliary power for loading and unloading cargo.
The name donkey comes from there fact that the engines replaced horses as a power source for cargo handling. The term was also applied to similar engine and boiler units carried aboard ship.
Donkey engines were also employed in construction work and in industries such as lumbering and mining. This engine was used until 1968 aboard a derrick barge belonging to the Port of Oakland.

BASIC FACTS:
Built: c. 1920, St. Paul, Minnesota
Builder: American Hoist and Derrick Company
Engine Type - 2 cylinder horizontal
Winch Type - Double friction drum

Erected by U.S. Department of the Interior. National Park Service, San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.

Location. 37° 48.475′ N, 122° 25.248′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and

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County. It is in Fisherman's Wharf. It can be reached from Hyde Street near Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north. The steam donkey engine, part of the San Francisco Maritime Nation Historical Park, is located on the Hyde Street Pier at the bottom of Hyde Street. 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.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Petaluma’s Sternwheel (here, next to this marker); Wapama’s Engine (a few steps from this marker); Lewis Bay Ark (a few steps from this marker); The South End Rowing Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanitation at Sea (within shouting distance of this marker);

Steam Donkey Engine and Updated Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, October 7, 2023

2. Steam Donkey Engine and Updated Marker

The Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Why Here? (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Port in Action (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Other markers no longer nearby. Triple-Expansion Steam Engine (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); San Francisco Bay "Ark" (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Hyde Street Pier (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. Inset Image:
A steam donkey engine on a San Francisco dock (main image); Green Street Wharf, San Francisco, in the 1880s. Two steam donkeys are in operation (above).

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 4, 2017

3. Steam Donkey Engine Marker

Captions: (main photo) Green Street Wharf, San Francisco in the 1880s. Two donkeys are in operation.; (illustration, lower right) The Murray Brothers marine donkey engine, a type favored on the West Coast during the late 19th century.

Steam Donkey Engine and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 4, 2017

4. Steam Donkey Engine and Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 30, 2016

5. Steam Donkey Engine Marker

The marker is the second from the right.

Donkey Engines were also common in Lumber Camps image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown

6. Donkey Engines were also common in Lumber Camps

Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,245 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3, 4. submitted on March 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5. submitted on April 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 6. submitted on March 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.