Zodiac (schooner) facts for kids
Zodiac motoring east along the Lake Washington Ship Canal, just east of the Ballard Bridge, Seattle, Washington
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| History | |
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 United States |
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| Name |
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| Owner |
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| Builder | Hodgdon Brothers |
| Launched | 1924 |
| Identification |
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| Status | Historic landmark |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 145 tons (gross) 89 (net) |
| Displacement | 220 tons |
| Length | 160 ft (49 m) (LOA) 127 ft (39 m) (on deck) |
| Beam | 25.2 ft (7.7 m) |
| Draft | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Depth of hold | 11.5 ft (3.5 m) |
| Propulsion | Caterpillar 400 hp (300 kW) diesel |
| Sail plan | Gaff-rigged topsail schooner 7,000 sq ft (650 m2) |
| Speed | 13.4 knots (24.8 km/h; 15.4 mph) (max), 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) (powered) |
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Zodiac (schooner)
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Bellingham, WA |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | William Hand, Jr. |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004248 |
| Added to NRHP | 29 April 1982 |
The Zodiac is a beautiful two-masted schooner, a type of sailing ship. It was designed by William H. Hand, Jr. for Robert Wood Johnson and J. Seward Johnson. These brothers were heirs to the Johnson & Johnson company, famous for medicines and health products.
Hand wanted the Zodiac to be the best example of an American fishing schooner. The ship is about 160-foot-long (49 m) (from end to end, including its spars) and 127 feet (39 m) long on its main deck. It weighs 145 tons. The Zodiac even competed in races across the Atlantic Ocean.
In 1931, a group called the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association bought the ship. They brought it from the Atlantic to San Francisco. They changed it to become a pilot vessel and renamed it California. It served in this important role until 1972.
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Building the Zodiac
The Zodiac was the largest ship ever designed by William H. Hand, Jr.. He was a very famous ship architect. He was also known for creating "V-bottomed" boats that used both sails and engines.
The Zodiac was built in 1924. It was made at the Hodgdon Brothers Shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine.
When it was first built, the ship was about 126 feet 10 inches (38.7 m) long overall. It was 25 feet 2 inches (7.7 m) wide. The bottom of the ship went about 13 feet 11 inches (4.2 m) deep into the water.
The ship also had an engine. It was a 140 horsepower Atlas diesel engine. This engine helped the ship move at about 7.5 knots (13.9 km/h; 8.6 mph) (knots) when it wasn't using its sails.
Zodiac as a Yacht
Robert Hood and J. Seward Johnson used the Zodiac as their private yacht. They sailed it to many places, even as far north as Nachvak in Labrador.
In 1928, the Zodiac entered a big race. It sailed from New York all the way to Spain. The yacht finished fourth among the large ships in that race.
California: A Pilot Boat
The San Francisco Bar Pilots Association bought the schooner in 1931. They brought it to San Francisco to change it. They wanted it to work as a pilot vessel. They named it California, after an earlier ship they had.
The California was the biggest schooner ever used by the San Francisco Bar Pilots. They used it during times of peace and even through wars. It served until 1972. It was the last sailing ship in the United States to be used as a pilot vessel.
Changes for Pilot Service
Pilot boats need to be ready in all kinds of weather. The San Francisco Bar Pilots at that time would stay out at sea for about five days. They needed to support a crew of seven and host up to ten pilots. So, the ship needed some changes.
The Association had the ship changed by The Moore Dry Dock Company in Oakland. They even talked to the original designer, William Hand, Jr., about the changes.
They put in a stronger engine, a 275 horsepower Atlas-Imperial diesel. This new engine replaced the old 140 horsepower one. The back of the ship had to be changed to fit a bigger propeller. This made the ship faster, going from about 7.5 to 9.73 knots (13.89 to 18.02 km/h; 8.63 to 11.20 mph) (knots).
The living areas and deck houses were also updated. They added a pilot house, which looked more like a commercial ship than a yacht. The kitchen had an oil-burning stove. The rooms were heated by a steam system.
Because of these changes, the ship went deeper into the water. Its draft increased from 13 feet 11 inches (4.2 m) to 14 feet 11 inches (4.5 m). The ship's weight also increased from 210 tons to 245 tons.
Serving as a Pilot Boat
The California started its duty in early 1932. It was one of the pilot boats that took turns working at the bar. The bar is an area of shallow water where ships need guidance. They would rotate duties every five days.
The other active pilot boat was the Gracie S.. The schooner Adventuress was used as a backup ship. The pilot station was about nine miles outside the Golden Gate.
Working so close to large ships had its dangers. The California lost its bow (front part) three times. It also ran aground (got stuck) in San Francisco Bay once.
The California stopped its service in 1972. It was replaced by newer, fully motorized vessels. This made it one of the last three sail-powered pilot vessels in the United States. The other two were the Roseway from Boston and the Adventuress. Both of these are also now National Historic Landmarks.
Sold and Renamed Zodiac Again
In 1973, the California was sold. It was given its original name, Zodiac, back. In the late 1970s, a private company called the Vessel Zodiac Corporation was created. Their job was to operate and take care of the ship.
The Zodiac was carefully restored. Its rigging (the ropes and sails) had been changed when it was a pilot boat. Now, it was put back to its original design.
Today, the Zodiac offers special trips and cruises. You can find it sailing in Washington state's beautiful San Juan Islands. It also sails in British Columbia's Gulf Islands. A non-profit group, the Northwest Schooner Society, works with the corporation. They offer sail training programs for young people and adults.
