Near Isleton in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Monitor
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 7, 2021
1. The Monitor Marker
Inscription.
The Monitor. . "Barge Burnt - On Friday afternoon last, the barge Monitor, bound for Sacramento, was burnt and sunk two miles below Rio Vista. This barge was built of the hull of the steamer Monitor, the machinery having been removed and the hulk rassed down to answer the purposes of carrying freight. At the time of the accident, she was freighted with thirty tons of hay, also a large wagon worth $300, and was being towed up to the city by the steamer Christina. There were two men on the barge at the time. They discovered the hay to be on fire and commenced at Once to throw off the bales. The wind was blowing so violently that by the time they had thrown fifteen bales into the river the flames had spread over nearly the entire cargo. The men were compelled to jump overboard and cling to the rudder until the barge floated in near the shore, when one of them swam to shore and aided in saving the other who could not swim. The Christina was compelled, on account of her own safety, to keep at a distance. The barge burnt to the water's edge and sunk." , 7/25/1884, Sacto Union,
"Barge Burnt - On Friday afternoon last, the barge Monitor,
bound for Sacramento, was burnt and sunk two miles
below Rio Vista. This barge was built of the hull of the
steamer Monitor, the machinery having been removed and
the hulk rassed down to answer the purposes of carrying
freight. At the time of the accident, she was freighted with
thirty tons of hay, also a large wagon worth $300, and was
being towed up to the city by the steamer Christina. There
were two men on the barge at the time. They discovered
the hay to be on fire and commenced at Once to throw off
the bales. The wind was blowing so violently that by the
time they had thrown fifteen bales into the river the flames
had spread over nearly the entire cargo. The men were
compelled to jump overboard and cling to the rudder until
the barge floated in near the shore, when one of them
swam to shore and aided in saving the other who could not
swim. The Christina was compelled, on account of her own
safety, to keep at a distance. The barge burnt to the water's
edge and sunk."
7/25/1884, Sacto Union
Erected by California State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 22, 1864.
Location.
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38° 6.635′ N, 121° 41.993′ W. Marker is near Isleton, California, in Sacramento County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 160. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Isleton CA 95641, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The marker is located in the Windy Cove section of Brannan Island State Recreation Area (on the west or river side of SR 160), at the north end of the parking lot, by the iron ranger. There is a day use fee. However, the fee may be waived (no guarantee) if you tell the campsite host that you are only there to take a quick look at the interpretive panels.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 7, 2021
2. The Monitor Marker - wide view
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
