National Park Service Park News U.S. Department of the Interior The Official Newspaper of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park The Maritime News September, October, November 2007 Tugboat Festival Honors 100 Year Old Hercules San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is celebra- Francisco Maritime), and even giants like the battleship ing the centennial birthday of the steam tug Hercules, the only USS California. Her namesake would have been proud of surviving steam-powered ocean tug in the United States. On her contribution to a job still very much in demand. Welcome September 22, please visit Hyde Street Pier between 11am This fall we are happy to commemorate and 5pm for the free Tugboat Festival. Hercules represents not only 1907 marine technology at its the centennial of one of the park’s historic height, but also the strength and fortitude of sailors who ships – the steam tugboat Hercules. Come help us celebrate Hercules’ 100th birthday Hercules is the 100 year old main attraction and there will be survived terrifying storms at sea. With up to 17 crew on at the Tugboat Festival on September 22. lots of activities to choose from. Ranger-led tours of the ship board, her voyages provided little privacy and prolonged Find out how the park, and the American will let you experience what it was like to be a sailor work- bouts of boredom, punctuated with storm tossed mo- people, make it possible for historic ships ments of terror and uncertain survival. like Hercules to continue to flourish. Ship ing on the open deck or deep down in the boiler and engine tours, demonstrations, music, and kid’s rooms. Musicians will perform traditional maritime music activities will all be part of the festivities. commemorating Hercules and the sailors of her time. Kids Come and experience this unique survivor of the American can create maritime crafts, earn a Junior Ranger badge and maritime experience at the Tugboat Festival. Please stop by the Visitor Center to enjoy a special exhibit, “The Labors of Her- become a “Junior Tugboater” by completing special tugboat cules,” that uses video, historic photos, activities. Special exhibits and films illustrating Hercules’ maps, and text to honor the ship and the history, and modern tugboats, will be avail- people who labored on this legendary tug. able in the park’s Visitor Center. Accessible presentations will be available on the pier. Speaking of centennials, we are planning Admission to the park’s other historic ships for 2016 and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service. We will be free. look forward to being a part of the many exciting projects that our park, and other The ocean-going steam tug Hercules was built NPS units, will be embarking on during in 1907 for a job that is still performed today. the next nine years: projects that will help our parks remain special places, places Although long retired, and 100 years old, that continue to unite us all as Americans. in her day Hercules could tow anything that Go to www.nps.gov/2016 for information floated. On her maiden voyage from Camden, on the Centennial Initiative. New Jersey around Cape Horn to San Fran- cisco, Hercules towed her sister tug Goliah and Kate Richardson along the way weathered some severe storms. The Labors of HERCULES: 100th Anniversary of the Steam Tugboat Hercules Superintendent Don’t miss this exhibit currently on display in the Visitor Center. Like the One storm produced waves that, as her cap- 1907-2007 legendary Greek strongman who was tasked to accomplish 12 extraordinary “labors,” tain described, had Hercules “snorting up on Hercules was fated for a life of strenuous challenges. She towed monster rafts of end.” As Hercules climbed up the huge waves timber and 20-thousand ton loads. This exhibit honors the ship and the people who she sat almost straight up on her stern. labored on this legendary tug. Photo: A caisson bound for the Panama Canal dwarfs Hercules towed barges, sailing vessels like the the mighty Hercules. NPS Photo, B5.23,298. Photos, above: Hercules (left), steaming on schooner C.A. Thayer (also featured at San San Francisco Bay in the mid-1990s, and (right) Hercules ca 1910. NPS Photos. Tugboat Festival…1 1 Tug Hercules 2 Sea Music 4 A Gull’s Eye Turns 100 Concert Series View: Activity Superintendent’s Message…1 Visitor Information…2 Happy Birthday Hercules! The only The 19th annual Sea Music Concert Page for Kids surviving steam-powered ocean tug Series returns this fall to Balclutha Sea Music Concert Series…2 in the United States. with two great performers. Meet Gertie and Mel; two gulls who live on tugboat Hercules’ pilothouse. Events and Programs…3 Kids Activity Page…4 Park Map…4 Today In the Park…4 ................................................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ the way to chief engineer, the “captain” of the below deck realm. During World War National Park Service Harry Morgan II, Harry saw service as chief engineer on Sailing U.S. Department of the Interior Liberty Ships and a Victory Ship. Postwar, he continued sailing until his retirement Chief Engineer from the sea in 1968. Adventure Much has been said about the love and San Francisco Maritime Leaving the sea, however, did not mean dedication of sailors to their ships. Of- National Historical Park his retirement from engine rooms. After ten the survival of a ship in a moment of leading the mechanical restoration of crisis is due to the skilled and sometimes Established in 1988, San Francisco the museum Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah desperate efforts of her crew. These mo- Maritime National Historical Park O’Brien, Harry brought his talent to the ments do not always occur in a storm at encompasses only 34 acres, but contains Hercules. the most national historic landmarks of sea. Sometimes they occur in the back- waters of a calm harbor where the enemy any unit in the National Park Service. Even though Hercules’ machinery lay is not turbulent, wind swept waves, but In addition to the fleet of ships at Hyde idle for nearly 30 years, Harry restored it rather time and neglect. This most often Street Pier, the park includes the Aquatic to operating condition in less than four leads a vessel to a fatal conclusion. The Park Historic Landmark District (Bath- years. In fact, while working on Hercules few that survive often owe their contin- house building, urban beach, lawn area between 1987 and 1991, Harry put 34,651 ued existence to retired sailors who are and bocce ball courts), a Visitor Center miles on his car. This mileage is most im- again responding to a ship in need. For the and a research library (in Fort Mason pressive when one realizes that it is nearly steam tug Hercules, Chief Engineer Harry Center). two and a half times the distance Hercules Morgan was one such sailor. Immerse yourself in history aboard the traveled on her first voyage around South 1891 National Landmark scow schooner Superintendent America! The ship’s restoration was a res- In January, 1987, when Harry Morgan Alma. Haul line to raise the sails with Na- Kate Richardson cue effort, especially where her machinery signed on as Hercules’ voluntary chief tional Park Service rangers as you explore was concerned. Those who visit and enjoy engineer, he brought along a lifetime of San Francisco Bay aboard the 80 foot Chief of Interpretation Hercules today owe Harry Morgan much maritime experience. In the engine rooms Alma. Feel the waves, breathe the salt air, Marc Hayman thanks for this treasure he helped save. of 36 U.S. Merchant Marine steam and handle the lines, and learn the stories! Public Affairs Officer motor vessels, he worked his way up from By Christopher Edwards, Park Ranger Before highways and bridges, hundreds Lynn Cullivan wiper, an entry-level maintenance job, all of scow schooners like Alma plied San Francisco Bay, hauling goods as the “flat- Editor bed trucks” of their day. The last of her Christine Baird Sea Music Concert Series kind, Alma will transport you to a long ago era on this unique, hands-on educational Mailing Address voice and infectious humor to his perfor- The Sea Music Concert Series returns to program with the National Park Service. Building E, Fort Mason Center mance of traditional and original songs. the historic sailing ship Balclutha at Hyde San Francisco, CA 94123 Street Pier for two evening performances All concerts are presented at 8:00pm at San Take in dazzling views while learning on October 20 and November 10, featuring about San Francisco’s riveting history. Fax Number Francisco Maritime National Historical performers John Roberts and Tom Lewis. Hear about Native Americans, Spanish 415-556-1624 Park aboard the historic vessel Balclutha, explorers, the Gold Rush, lighthouses, Now in its nineteenth year, the concert moored at Hyde Street Pier at Fisherman’s the Barbary Coast, Fisherman’s Wharf, Park Information series continues the musical tradition of Wharf. earthquakes, fires, shipbuilding and much, 415-447-5000 San Francisco Maritime, bringing together much more. performers and audiences to enjoy the rich Tickets for each performance are $14, and Contributors to Volume 18: Katie Rose heritage of sea music aboard a spectacular $12 for San Francisco Maritime National Afternoon sails will depart from Hyde Dailey, Kathryn Daskal, Christopher historic vessel. Park Association members. A money-sav- Street Pier on several Saturdays during Edwards, Richard Everett, Amy Hosa, ing season ticket is also available for $24. September, October and November. For Leslie Graham, and Peter Kasin. John Roberts, who also plays the concertina For tickets call 415-561-6662 x33 or con- specific sailing dates and ticket prices, Maritime News September, October, and banjo, is a leading performer of English tact the Association at P.