Northern Waterfront in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Braving the Seas
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 21, 2022
1. Braving the Seas Marker
Side 1:
Yesterday’s Port
Braving the Seas
Since 1850, San Francisco Bar Pilots have waited outside the Golden Gate and boarded ships at all times, in all weather conditions. The earliest bar pilots rowed out from a sailing schooner in a skiff or yawl, grabbed a swinging ladder, and guided ships in exchange for goods.
Side 2:
Today’s Port
Boarding at Sea
All vessels over 750 tons must have a bar pilot on board to navigate the challenging waters and currents of San Francisco Bay. Pilots meet incoming ships at sea 11 miles outside the Golden Gate, climb aboard by rope ladder, and direct ships across the rough and shallow “Bar.”
Side 3:
The Port of San Francisco
- Established 1863 -
”The City’s Connection to the Bay”
Erected by Port of San Francisco.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 37° 47.984′ N, 122° 23.871′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Northern Waterfront. Marker is on The Embarcadero North, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the sidewalk outside
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kanrin Maru (a few steps from this marker); Crimps and Dives (a few steps from this marker); Vallejo Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Building the Seawall (within shouting distance of this marker); Russian Navy Heroes (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Telegraph Hill (about 300 feet away); Pony Express Wharf (about 300 feet away); A Sailor’s Life is a Dangerous One (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
More about this marker. The maker is mounted to a galvanized steel culvert pipe planted upright in a vertical position on the sidewalk.
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 21, 2022
2. Braving the Seas Marker
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 21, 2022
3. Braving the Seas Marker
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 21, 2022
4. Braving the Seas Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 26, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
