Pacific Mail Steamship China
PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP CHINA
1866 - 1886
Length 360.0' Breadth 47.4' Depth 31.5'
William H. Webb designed and built the SS CHINA in New York City for trans-Pacific passenger, cargo and mail service. She came to her San Francisco homeport via the Straits of Magellan in 1867 for the first of thirty round trips to Yokohama and Hong Kong.
In 1879, the SS CHINA, a wooden, sidewheel steamer, also rigged for sail, was laid aside in favor of iron steamers. She was brought to the marine crematory in Tiburon Cove in 1886 to be burned for scrap metal. Too beautiful to burn, the Social Saloon with attached staterooms was removed from the top deck and barged to Belvedere Cove where it was used as a residence for ninety years becoming commonly known as the China Cabin.
The Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society with the cooperation of the City of Belvedere saved the China Cabin from demolition in 1978 and, with the help of donations and grants, restored it to its original grace. When the preservation project was completed in 1986, the Social Saloon was opened to the public as a treasure of the maritime heritage
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 37° 52.392′ N, 122° 27.734′ W. Marker is in Belvedere, California, in Marin County. It is on Beach Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 52 Beach Road, Belvedere Tiburon CA 94920, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the San Francisco Bay Area, in the North Coast, and specifically on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on 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: William Henry Webb (here, next to this marker); China Cabin (here, next to this marker); Looking Back at Belvedere (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1870’s Ranch Shed
Additional keywords. Pacific Mail Steamship China
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 805 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
