Balclutha (1886) facts for kids
Balclutha at her mooring in San Francisco.
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| History | |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Namesake | Balclutha, New Zealand or Baile Chluaidh (Gaelic) |
| Builder | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd. |
| Launched | 6 December 1886 |
| In service | 15 January 1887 |
| Status | Museum ship since 1954 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Three-masted full-rigged ship |
| Tonnage |
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| Displacement | c. 4,100 tons |
| Tons burthen | 2,650 tons (2,692 tonnes) |
| Length | 301 ft (92 m) |
| Beam | 38.6 ft (11.8 m) |
| Height | 145 ft (44 m) |
| Draught | 20.3 ft (6.2 m) |
| Depth of hold | 22.7 ft (6.9 m) |
| Propulsion | sail |
| Sail plan | rigged with royal sails over double top & single topgallant sails; 25 sails in all |
| Complement | 26; under the APA flag ~ 210 |
| Notes | |
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Balclutha (square-rigger)
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 Location in San Francisco County
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco, California |
| Built | 1886 |
| Architect | Charles Connell |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000178 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 7 November 1976 |
| Designated NHL | 4 February 1985 |
The Balclutha is a large, old sailing ship built in 1886. She is also known by other names like Star of Alaska and Pacific Queen. This ship is a great example of how ships were used for trade long ago, carrying things like wood, salmon, and grain. Today, she is a special U.S. National Historic Landmark. You can visit her at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in San Francisco, California. She became a historic landmark on November 7, 1976.
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The Balclutha's Amazing Journey
The Balclutha was built in 1886 by Charles Connell and Company in Glasgow, Scotland. Her name might come from the town of Balclutha, New Zealand. It also connects to her first homeport, Glasgow, which means "City on the Clyde" in Gaelic.
Early Voyages Around the World
The Balclutha was designed to carry all sorts of goods. For 13 years, she sailed around Cape Horn 17 times! This famous cape is at the southern tip of South America and is known for its rough seas.
During these trips, she carried many different items. She took wine, oil, and coal from Europe and the East Coast of the United States. She delivered them to ports all over the Pacific Ocean. This included places like Chile for nitrate, Australia and New Zealand for wool, and Burma for rice. She also brought grain to San Francisco and timber from the Pacific Northwest.
In 1899, the Balclutha started sailing under the flag of Hawaii. She then mainly carried timber from the Pacific Northwest to Australia. On her return trips, she brought Australian coal back to San Francisco.
Becoming the Star of Alaska
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In 1902, a company called the Alaska Packers' Association (APA) rented the Balclutha. On May 16, 1904, she hit a reef near Kodiak Island in Alaska. The APA then bought her for only $500! After many repairs, they renamed her the Star of Alaska.
She then joined the busy salmon fishing trade. Each April, she would sail north from San Francisco to Chignik Bay in Alaska. She carried supplies, fishermen, and workers for the canneries. In September, she would return with a huge cargo of canned salmon.
For these salmon trips, the ship carried over 200 people. This was a big change from the 26-person crew she had as the Balclutha. In 1911, part of the ship was extended to make room for more workers. This new area was called the shelter deck. Bunks were also built below deck for other workers. Her last salmon voyage was in 1930. After that, she was put away and not used for a while.
From Pacific Queen to Museum Ship
In 1933, a new owner named Frank Kissinger bought the ship. He renamed her the Pacific Queen. Under this name, she even appeared in the movie Mutiny on the Bounty. Famous actors like Clark Gable and Charles Laughton starred in it. After her movie role, she was used as an exhibition ship. She slowly started to fall apart and was even shown as a "pirate ship" for a time.
In 1954, the San Francisco Maritime Museum bought the Pacific Queen. They carefully restored her and gave her back her original name, Balclutha. She was then docked at Pier 41 East. In 1985, she was officially named a National Historic Landmark.
In 1988, the Balclutha moved to her current spot. She is now at the Hyde Street Pier within the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. She used to host fun monthly "Chantey Sings" (sea songs) on her shelter deck. These events now happen on the nearby ferryboat, the Eureka.
Images for kids
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View aft from foredeck -
Anchor windlass in forecastle -
January 15, 2012 -
January 15, 2012 -
January 15, 2012 -
Deck Plan, Section 1 -
Deck Plan, Section 2 -
Deck Plan, Section 3 -
Deck Plan, Section 4 -
Deck Plan, Section 5
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