Vallejo in Solano County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

H.B.M. Centurian Anchor

By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 9, 2020

1. H.B.M. Centurian Anchor Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

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.

Location. 38° 5.881′ N, 122° 16.285′ W. Marker is in Vallejo, California, in Solano County. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. German Marder and Torpedo (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourth Marine Division Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); A Large Carved Eagle (Wood) (within shouting distance of this marker); USS Hartford 10 Inch Dahlgren Smooth Bore Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); 24 Pounder from the USS Independence (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Peter's Chapel (approx. ¼ mile away); Mansion Gallery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Vallejo As State Capital (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vallejo.

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.

H.B.M. Centurian Anchor Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 9, 2020

2. H.B.M. Centurian Anchor Marker - wide view

The marker is to be seen here to the right of the bench, with the anchor visible behind it.

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 there. In other words, the anchor was lost there, not the ship.

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

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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 Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 17, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California.