Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Historic Capstan
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 30, 2020
1. Historic Capstan Marker
Inscription.
Historic Capstan. . John Peck Stearns arrived in Santa Barbara in 1867 and built the town's first lumber mill. Frustrated with the rickety wharf at the foot of Chapala Street, Stearns built his own wharf, which soon created an economic boom for Santa Barbara.
Built by the Hyde Windlass Company of Bath, Maine this capstan is a reminder of those early days. Its strong mechanical force was used to pull on ropes, cables, and hawsers for lifting and hauling sails, anchor lines, and other such tasks at sea, and ashore to supplement straining manpower. This capstan is made entirely of iron, with gearing in the head that provides a mechanical advantage when the bars are pushed counterclockwise.
John Peck Stearns arrived in Santa Barbara in 1867
and built the town's first lumber mill.
Frustrated with the rickety wharf at the
foot of Chapala Street, Stearns built his own wharf,
which soon created an economic boom
for Santa Barbara.
Built by the Hyde Windlass Company of Bath, Maine
this capstan is a reminder of those early
days. Its strong mechanical force was used to pull on
ropes, cables, and hawsers for lifting and
hauling sails, anchor lines, and other such tasks at sea,
and ashore to supplement straining
manpower. This capstan is made entirely of iron,
with gearing in the head that provides a
mechanical advantage when the bars
are pushed counterclockwise.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 34° 24.576′ N, 119° 41.138′ W. Marker is in Santa Barbara, California, in Santa Barbara County. Marker is on Stearns Wharf, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Barbara CA 93101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Stearns Wharf (a few steps from this marker); Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); "St. Barbara" (a few steps from this marker); Stearns Wharf Fire (within shouting distance
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 30, 2020
2. Historic Capstan and Marker
The marker is visible here mounted atop the capstan.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
