H.B.M. Centurian Anchor
Anchor from H.B.M. Ship Centurian
which was lost in 1742
at Jaun Fernandez Island
Robinson Crusoe's Island
Recovered by the U.S.S. Lackawanna
May 1882
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1832.
Location. 38° 5.881′ N, 122° 16.285′ W. Marker is in Vallejo, California, in Solano County. It can be reached from 8th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vallejo CA 94592, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, in Sacramento Valley, and specifically in the Central Valley. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past (here, next to this marker);
this page online
More about this marker. Located in the northwestern corner of Alden Park in the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard, the anchor and its marker are rather easy to miss as they blend in rather well with the surrounding shrubbery.
Regarding H.B.M. Centurian Anchor. This marker requires a couple of assumptions in order for it to make sense. Firstly, presumably Juan Fernandez Island was meant, not "Jaun". Secondly, presumably the anchor comes from the H.M.S. Centurion, not "Centurian", which did record a visit to the island in 1742 as part of George Anson's Voyage around the world (see link below), but did not sink
Also see . . .
1. George Anson's voyage around the world (Wikipedia). "While Great Britain was at war with Spain in 1740, Commodore George Anson led a squadron of eight ships on a mission to disrupt or capture Spain's Pacific possessions. Returning to Britain in 1744 by way of China and thus completing a circumnavigation, the voyage was notable for the capture of an Acapulco galleon but also horrific losses to disease with only 188 men of the original 1,854 surviving." (Submitted on July 17, 2020.)
2. USS Lackawanna (1862) (Wikipedia). "The first USS Lackawanna was a screw sloop-of-war in the Union Navy during the American Civil War....", mainly serving as part of the blockade of CSA ports along the Gulf Coast. The USS Lackawanna was part of Farragut's fleet in the Battle of Mobile Bay. After the war, the ship was recommissioned for duty in the Pacific Ocean, and "Lackawanna sailed to Midway Island and, on August 28, 1867, Captain Reynolds took formal possession of the island for the United States." USS Lackawanna was decommissioned for a third and final time at Mare Island in April, 1885. (Submitted on July 17, 2020.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 17, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
