Financial District in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The General Harrison
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 16, 2013
1. The General Harrison Marker
The remains of the gold rush supply ship, the General Harrison, lie beneath this building. The sidewalk treatment reminds us that Clay Street was once a wharf at the edge of San Francisco Bay with tidal mud flats to the north, and in 1850 ships like the General Harrison were moored alongside and used as storehouses. The sculpture on the building was inspired by the waterline shape, frames and planking of the ship.
The Sidewalk was designed by Topher Delany and the ship sculpture by Curtis Hollenback and Topher Delaney. They were contributed by Club Quarter under the City of San Francisco percent for the art program.
Erected by Club Quarter.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 37° 47.704′ N, 122° 24.034′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in the Financial District. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Clay Street and Battery Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 424 Clay Street, San Francisco CA 94111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Ship Niantic (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
this page online
Also see . . . A Long Forgotten Buried Ship (Part 1). Museum of Underwater Archaeology website entry:
One block west, along the Clay Street wharf, the ship Niantic began to smolder. Suddenly, explosively, the ship burst into flame. Embers thrown by the wind swept across the wharf and landed at Mickle’s feet. “Get out the pump!” he shouted up to the crowd on the deck of the ship General Harrison. Mickle’s fortune was invested in the ship now ringed by fire. (Submitted on December 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 16, 2013
2. The General Harrison Marker
Note the outline of the hull in the sidewalk.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 16, 2013
3. The General Harrison's Outline
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 16, 2013
4. The General Harrison's Outline
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 608 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
