Sea Captains: San Francisco 1800s

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Samuel Leach

February 8, 1849, Weekly Alta California, San Francisco

Marine Journal: Arrived: February 6th, American Ship Chile, Leach, master, sailed from New York, August 5th and Valparaiso December 14th, with government stores.

By the arrival at this port of the American ship Chile, we have received files of American papers up to August 5, 1848. Of course, she brings no late intelligence, but such paragraphs as we can find of general interest will be published in our next number.

The Chile, Leach, master, sailed from New York on the 5th August, laden with stores and property for the Pacific squadron. She touched at Valparaiso on her passage, leaving that port for California on the 14th of December. On arriving on this coast, she put it at Monterey, remaining there two days. From that port she came here, arriving on Tuesday morning last. Contrary to expectation she brings a small mail and a few passengers. We are informed that the cargo will be unladen here, and that one of its articles is a steam saw and grist mill, for the use of the Navy.

We learn verbally by the Chile that the steamer California had not arrived at Valparaiso, though she as daily expected. Another account says that the steamer would nto touch at Valparaiso, but would stoip at Callao to refit, and letters received by the Ann McKim say that she was daily expected at the Port. It is difficult to decide, from these conflicting accounts, at what time the first steamer will be likely to reach San Francsico, but we think she will certainly arrivefd by the first of March.

In several of the August papers, printed in the city of New York we observe California correspondence. The authors represent the country as possessing unheard of mineral wealth, but mention nothing of gold mines. Silver, quicksilver, lead and iron, are spoken of, and one author says that California will undoubtedly owe a great share of her future prosperity to her quicksilver mines. Long ere this, we presume, the news of the gold discovery will have produced as great a revolution in the United States in regard to these subjects, as have already taken place in California itself.

February 8, 1849, Weekly Alta California, San Francsico

FROM CHILE.

By the American ship Chile we have dates from Valparaiso to the 13th of December, 1848. The excitement relative to the gold mines in this country is still very great. Merchandise of all kinds is in great demand, and as fast as it arrives is reshipped to this port. In addition to the vessels heretofore announced for California, we find in El Mercurio of December 13, 1848, the Chilian brig J. R. S., brigantine Rayo, schooner Calavera, ship Julia, and schooner Lambayocana. All these vessels, as well as the six before advertised, will bring passengers and merchandise. — It is said that one of the vessels will bring a cargo of houses complete and ready for erection.

July 2, 1849, Weekly Alta California, San Francisco, California

List of vessels at Saucelito. March, Amercan Ship Chile, Leach, Valparaiso.

August 16, 1849 and August 23, 1849, Daily Alta California, San Francisco

April 12, 1850, Daily Alta California, San Francisco: Cleared American bark Laura, Captain Leach, Ports in Chile.

November 4, 1850, Sacramento Transcript, Sacramento, California

Marine Intelligence. Port of San Francisco. 

Arrived October 31, 1850 Bark Laura, Leach. 82 days from Valparaiso.

March 22, 1851, Sacramento Daily Union, Sacramento, California

Marine News, Port of San Franccisco

Arrived March 29, Ship Chile, Leach, 240 days from Boston via Valparaiso, 72 days. Mdse to Hussey, Bond & Hale.

August 16, 1851, Sacramento Daily Union, Sacramento
August 13, Ship Chile, Leach, cleared for Calcutta. Hussey, Bond & Hale.

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The sea chart was one of the key tools by which ships of trade, transport and conquest navigated their course across the oceans. Herein is a history and development of the chart and the related nautical map, in both scientific and aesthetic terms, as a means of safe and accurate seaborne navigation. 150 color illustrations including the earliest charts of the Mediterranean made by 13th-century Italian merchant adventurers, as well as 18th-century charts that became strategic naval and commercial requirements and led to Cook's voyages in the Pacific, the search for the Northwest Passage, and races to the Arctic and Antarctic.

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