GREAT REPUBLIC: A HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF A PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP A Thesis by ANDREW P. ROBERTS Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS December 2008 Major Subject: Anthropology GREAT REPUBLIC: A HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF A PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP A Thesis by ANDREW P. ROBERTS Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Approved by: Chair of Committee, Kevin Crisman Committee Members, Joseph Dawson Donny L. Hamilton Head of Department Donny L. Hamilton December 2008 Major Subject: Anthropology iii ABSTRACT Great Republic: A Historical and Archaeological Analysis of a Pacific Mail Steamship. (December 2008) Andrew P. Roberts, B.A., University of Oregon Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Kevin Crisman In 1986 the remains of a shipwreck were discovered on Sand Island in the mouth of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. The following year, a team of archaeologists investigated the site in order to determine its original identity. After a series of dives, the team concluded that the wreck was the remains of the Hudson’s Bay Company brig, Isabella, a ship that was lost in that area in 1830. Recent investigations on the shipwreck disproved this identity. The turbulent conditions of the Columbia River have helped researchers by shifting a significant amount of sand overburden away from the vessel, exposing a greater area of the ship. With this new information, the wreck is now believed to be the remains of the wooden side-wheel steamer Great Republic that belonged to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, rather than Isabella. This thesis investigates the history of Great Republic and its role in American maritime history, as well as its possible archaeological remains at the bottom of the Columbia River. In order to provide a clear and concise story, I begin with the history of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and its importance in the development of the western coast of the United States. Since Great Republic was integral to the Asian trade iv of the nineteenth century, the second portion of the thesis is dedicated to Asian- American commercial and political relations during the nineteenth century. Great Republic and its three sister ships are then described and analyzed in detail based on contemporary sources. Finally, the archaeological evidence is assessed beginning with the discovery of the wreck. I detail the investigations and discoveries made on the wreck over the last 20 years. In my conclusions I discuss the importance of Great Republic from a historical standpoint and emphasize its place in American maritime history. I also detail key aspects concerning the wreck that I believe are imperative for future research. Though the remains convincingly appear to be those of Great Republic there are still structural features that need to be analyzed before a positive identification is possible. v DEDICATION To my family vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my committee chair Dr. Kevin Crisman and my committee members Dr. Donny Hamilton and Dr. Joseph Dawson for their guidance and support throughout the course of my research. Additionally I would like to thank Dr. James P. Delgado for his assistance, enthusiasm, and support during my research; without his work on this topic, this project would have been impossible. I would also like to thank Mr. Steve Potash for allowing me access to his collection of Pacific Mail Steamship Company material and his assistance with my research in San Francisco. I could not have been able to accomplish as much as I did without his help. Other people who were integral in my research include Mr. Jerry Ostermiller and Mr. Jeffrey Smith at the Columbia River Maritime Museum who gave me unlimited access to their resources and were extremely enthusiastic and cooperative throughout all stages of my work. Mr. Henry Silka helped with my research concerning Henry Steers and his shipyard. The National Parks Service deserves recognition for their assistance as well. They were extremely helpful and have given me complete access to their files concerning the initial investigation concerning the Sand Island wreck. Funding for travel and research for this project was provided in part by the Vaughn Family Foundation from the Independence Seaport Museum. Their assistance is greatly appreciated. On a personal level I have many people to thank here at Texas A&M University. Ben Ford and Jessi Halligan have provided me unending support and friendship and for that I am extremely grateful. Heather Brown is not only a close friend but also edited all vii of my work and provided much needed input. Matthew Labbe and Frank Burnside were always present to help me to remember to relax. John Hamilton never failed to provide criticism and a reality check any time he thought I might need them. Finally, Ashley Smallwood has been my strength and support for the last two years and I feel indebted to her for her patience and love. I would also like to thank my family for being supportive in all things and for always encouraging me especially during my darkest hours. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT........................................................................................................ .. iii DEDICATION .................................................................................................... …v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................ ..vi TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................. …x CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION............................................................................. ... 1 II A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PACIFIC MAIL............................... ... 7 The Mail Contracts................................................................... ..11 California ................................................................................. ..20 The Panama Years……………………………………………...29 III TO THE EASTERN SHORES ......................................................... ..35 The China Trade....................................................................... ..35 America’s Push to the Far East ................................................ ..39 Land of the Rising Sun............................................................. ..45 Matthew Calbraith Perry and the Mission to Japan…………....49 IV GREAT REPUBLIC AND THE CHINA LINE ................................ ..58 Great Republic ......................................................................... ..64 Great Republic’s Career........................................................... ..82 Great Republic’s Demise ......................................................... 86 V ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS………………………...92 Isabella..................................................................................... 95 Early Investigations.................................................................. 98 Recent Investigations............................................................... 104 ix CHAPTER Page The Case for Great Republic.................................................... 112 VI CONCLUSIONS............................................................................... 116 REFERENCES CITED ....................................................................................... 121 VITA …………………………………………………………………………...128 x LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE Page 1 Map of Possible Mail Routes .......................................................... 9 2 Portrait of William Aspinwall....................................................... 17 3 California ...................................................................................... 22 4 Duagerrotype of Matthew Calbraith Perry.................................... 50 5 Great Republic .............................................................................. 59 6 Colorado in Hong Kong................................................................ 60 7 Great Republic on the Stocks........................................................ 64 8 Great Republic in Dry Dock ......................................................... 65 9 The Hull Lines of China................................................................ 69 10 Upper Deck Plan of Japan ............................................................ 74 11 Lower Deck Plan of Japan............................................................ 75 12 Stereopticon Depicting the Interior of Pacific Mail Steamer Great Republic by Boehland & Koenig ........................................ 78 13 Chinese Steerage aboard Alaska ................................................... 81 14 Great Republic Stranded on Sand Island ...................................... 88 15 Map of the Mouth of the Columbia River..................................... 94 16 Isabella Site Map ....................................................................... 102 17 Detail of Great Republic Showing Possible Sponson Deck Support Struts ............................................................................. 114 18 China’s Cabin.............................................................................. 118 1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION This project details the history and archaeology of Great Republic,