Near Jenner in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Fort Ross Cove
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015
1. Fort Ross Cove Marker
Caption: Copper sheathing and iron spikes, remnants of the first ship built on the west coast of the continental United States, were found in an archaeological investigation the cove in 1996-1998.
Russian Shipways
The three other Russian-American Company ships built at Fort Ross were brigs, Ruldakov, Volga, and Kiakhta. The shipyard was abandoned by 1825, but the Company continued to build smaller boats. An artists reconstruction shows the cove in 1820 when the Buldakov was launched.
Erected by California State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.
Location. 38° 30.769′ N, 123° 14.593′ W. Marker is near Jenner, California, in Sonoma County. It can be reached from Coast Highway (State Highway 1) near Fort Ross Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Wine Country, in the San Francisco Bay Area, in the North Coast, and specifically on the Coast 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Ross Defenses (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Russian Cemetery (about 400 feet away); Sandy Beach Cove (about 500 feet away); Fort Ross Chapel (about 600 feet away); The Native Alaskan Village (about 600 feet away); The Russian Village Site - Sloboda (about 800 feet away); The Call Family Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); California's First Windmill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jenner.
More about this marker. This marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015
2. Fort Ross Cove Kiosk
Also see . . . Historic Pomona Shipwreck: March 17, 1908. California State Parks' page for the Pomona shipwreck, including several photos. (Submitted on July 17, 2015.)
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015
3. Marine life panel at the Fort Ross Cove kiosk
The SS Pomona sank at Fort Ross. She lies in less than 40 feet of water, 400 yards offshore. A marker buoy identifies the wreck's location from both water and land vantage points. The SS Pomona with her triple expansion steam engine was built in 1888, and traveled regularly between San Francisco and Vancouver. She struck a rock south of Fort Ross and ran aground in Fort Ross Cove where all of the passengers and crew were saved.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015
4. Second marker located at Fort Ross Cove
Here at Fort Ross Cove, the Russians established the first shipyard in California. Also found here was a bathhouse, a large storehouse, a cooperage, a tanning shop and the Colony's blacksmith shop.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015
5. Fort Ross from the Fort Ross Cove beach
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 526 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
