Old Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Sacramento’s Maritime Heritage
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009
1. Sacramento’s Maritime Heritage Marker
Inscription.
Sacramento’s Maritime Heritage. . The second world war found river transportation companies continuing service on the Sacramento River while under the restrictions of wartime conditions. In the 1950’s, river commerce consisted of the transportation of barges of bulk grain, petroleum, and crushed rock between Bay Area points and upriver as far north as Colusa. In 1954, Sacramento River traffic amounted to 2,172,451 tons of cargo, largely rice. River commerce in the 1960’s continued to be primarily tug boats and barges including the shipping of military aircraft from nearby air bases to the Bay Area and the Far East. In 1963, the long-promised deep-water channel and Port of Sacramento opened to ocean-going freighters, thus ending an era of riverfront shipping in downtown Sacramento. Most subsequent river commerce has focused on renewed passenger travel and sight-seeing cruises.
The second world war found river transportation companies continuing service on the Sacramento River while under the restrictions of wartime conditions. In the 1950’s, river commerce consisted of the transportation of barges of bulk grain, petroleum, and crushed rock between Bay Area points and upriver as far north as Colusa. In 1954, Sacramento River traffic amounted to 2,172,451 tons of cargo, largely rice. River commerce in the 1960’s continued to be primarily tug boats and barges including the shipping of military aircraft from nearby air bases to the Bay Area and the Far East. In 1963, the long-promised deep-water channel and Port of Sacramento opened to ocean-going freighters, thus ending an era of riverfront shipping in downtown Sacramento. Most subsequent river commerce has focused on renewed passenger travel and sight-seeing cruises.
Erected 1998 by Members of the Sacramento Valley Chapter American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV), their families and friends. This Chapter was founded 2/1/91.
Location. 38° 34.805′ N, 121° 30.428′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California
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, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Capital Mall and Front Street. Marker is located at the American Merchant Marines Monument, at the entrance to the River Front Promenade. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . History of the Port of West Sacramento. Port of West Sacramento entry; name changed from "Sacramento" in 2008 (Submitted on February 25, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009
2. American Merchant Marine Monument
Sacramento's Maritime Heritage marker is located in the center.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009
3. A Second Sacramento’s Maritime Heritage Marker
This marker is written in Braille.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009
4. Close-Up of Photo on Marker
S.S. Harpoon
Flagship of the Shepard Line
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009
5. The AMMV Plaza Memorial Committee Plaque at the Monument
AMMV Plaza
MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
MAY 1998
Harl Mullins, Chair
Bill Fairfield, CEO
J.O. Nelson, CEO
Marvin Booth, CEO
Joe Callahan
Walter Duering
Bob Koetitz
Bob Nelson
Bob Sharp
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009
6. The AMMV Plaza Memorial Committee Plaque and Flag Mast
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,632 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 25, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
