Embarcadero in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Ferryboat "Berkeley"

— Maritime Museum of San Diego —

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, December 7, 2011

1. Ferryboat "Berkeley" Marker

Inscription.
The steam ferryboat "Berkeley" was the first successful west coast-built and operated ferry to be driven by a screw propeller as opposed to side-wheels. Built by the famous Union Iron Works of San Francisco in 1898, the ferry operated until 1958 as part of the San Francisco Bay ferry system. The "Berkeley" is the oldest steel-hulled ferry on the west coast and the earliest double-ended ferryboat to survive with her original historic fabric intact. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake the "Berkeley" assisted in evacuating refugees to Oakland.

Erected 2000 by California Department of Parks and Recreation, Maritime Assoc. of San Diego and E Clampus Vitus, Squibob Chapter. (Marker Number 1031.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the E Clampus Vitus, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 32° 43.258′ N, 117° 10.407′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Embarcadero. It is at the intersection of North Harbor Drive and Ash Street, on the left when traveling north on North Harbor Drive

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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in 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: Bowsprit (within shouting distance of this marker); “Star of India” (within shouting distance of this marker); McClintock Storage Warehouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Piazza della Famiglia (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Fire Station Number Six (approx. 0.3 miles away); Little Italy Landmark Sign (approx. 0.3 miles away); 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Opening Celebration (approx. 0.3 miles away); 2006 FIFA World Soccer Cup Celebration (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Regarding Ferryboat "Berkeley". National Historic Landmark Statement of Significance (as of designation - December 14, 1990):
Built in 1898, is the oldest essentially unmodified passenger and car ferry in the United States, and is the best example of the 3 surviving propeller-driven ferries of the double-ended type, the best known American ferry type. In her 60-year career, Berkeley survived and worked in a rough service around the nationally significant Port of San Francisco. Berkeley, alone of all American ferries, retains her original, unmodified 19th century

Ferryboat "Berkeley" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, December 7, 2011

2. Ferryboat "Berkeley" and Marker

At the brow of the permanently moored steam ferry boat, home of the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

steam plant. Moored on the San Diego waterfront, she serves as a floating repository for the San Diego Maritime Museum's collections.

Also see . . . Maritime Museum of San Diego. Museum website homepage (Submitted on December 24, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Vintage vessels at the San Diego Maritime Museum: image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, December 7, 2011

3. Vintage vessels at the San Diego Maritime Museum:

Ferryboat Berkeley, right rear; Soviet Submarine B39, left rear; HMS Surprise (replica Royal Navy frigate featured in the film "Captain and Commander"), center front.

Ferryboat "Berkeley" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 23, 2009

4. Ferryboat "Berkeley"

Inside the ferryboat, the seating area at top. Beautiful wood benches and stain glass windows.

Stained Glass image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 23, 2009

5. Stained Glass

Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 18, 2023

6. Ferryboat "Berkeley"

<i>Ferry Building and S.P. Company's Ferryboat "Berkeley", San Francisco Bay, California.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

7. Ferry Building and S.P. Company's Ferryboat "Berkeley", San Francisco Bay, California.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,621 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on January 5, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on December 23, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on January 18, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 6. submitted on August 2, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 7. submitted on November 2, 2017. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.