Alma (1891)

Infobox_nrhp | name =ALMA (Scow Schooner)
nrhp_type =nhl


caption = Starboard view of scow schooner "Alma" Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park
location= 2905 Hyde St. (Hyde St. Pier), San Francisco, California
lat_degrees = 37
lat_minutes = 48
lat_seconds = 34.47
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 122
long_minutes = 25
long_seconds = 15.08
long_direction = W
locmapin = California
area =
built =1891
architect= Fred Siemer
architecture= Other
designated=June 07, 1988cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1528&ResourceType=Structure
title=ALMA (Scow) |accessdate=2008-02-13|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = October 10, 1975cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
governing_body = NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
refnum=75000179The "Alma" is an 1891 built scow schooner, which is now preserved as a National Historic Landmark at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in San Francisco, California.

History of the "Alma"

The "Alma" is a flat-bottomed scow schooner built in 1891 by Fred Siemer at his shipyard at Hunters Point in San Francisco. Like the many other local scow schooners of that time, she was designed to haul goods on and around San Francisco Bay. Able to navigate the shallow creeks and sloughs of the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta, the scows’ strong, sturdy hulls could rest safely and securely on the bottom and provided a flat, stable platform for loading and unloading. Whilst principally designed as sailing vessels, scow schooners could also be hauled from the bank or poled in the shallows of the delta.

Until 1918, the "Alma" hauled a variety of cargoes under sail, including hay and lumber. Thereafter she was demasted and used as salt carrying barge. In 1926 a gasoline engine was installed, and the "Alma" became an oyster dredger, remaining in this trade until 1957.

In 1959, the "Alma" was purchased by the State of California and restoration commenced in 1964. In 1988, she was designated a National Historic Landmark.citation|title=PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/75000179.pdf National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Scow Schooner Alma / Alma] |32 KB|date=July 1, 1987 |author=James P. Delgado and Kevin J. Foster |publisher=National Park Service and PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/75000179.pdf "Accompanying 5 images, from c.1971 and undated"] |32 KB] She is now one of the exhibits of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and is to be found moored at the park's Hyde Street Pier.

General characteristics

* Gross tonnage: 41 tons (41.6 tonnes)
* Overall length: 80 ft (24.4 m)
* Registered length: 59 ft (18 m)
* Beam: 22.6 ft (6.9 m)
* Depth: 4 ft (1.2 m)
* Height of foremast: 67 ft (20.4 m)

External links

* [http://www.nps.gov/safr/historyculture/alma.htm San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park website - Alma webpage]
* [http://andrewlinn.com/050322_sanfran/15sfscoonerbarge.jpgPicture] of the Alma at dock

Sources

* Webpage "http://www.nps.gov/safr/local/alma.html" retrieved 23:40 23 January 2005 GMT