Life in Nelson’s Navy Saturday, June 7, 2PM. Meet aboard Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier. Vessel admission. Slide show about life in the British Royal Navy at the time of Nelson, featuring period food and clothing
Published: June, 2003
Hercules Engineering Tour
Sunday, June 22, 1PM. Meet at the gangway on the Pier. Reservations required: 415-561-7100. Vessel admission.
Explore the major engineering spaces and learn about steam piston technology and its effects on the working environment of the marine steam engineer. (Note:This tour includes climbing moderately steep ladders and entering cramped spaces.)
Birds of the Bay
Sunday, June 1, 9:30AM. Meet at Hyde Street Pier entrance. No fee.
See shore, migratory, citified, and resident birds on this birdwalk. Bring binoculars, bird books, and dress warmly.
Eureka Engine Room Tour
Sunday, June 1, 3PM. Meet at gangway on the Pier. Vessel admission.
Join this special tour of Eureka’s engine room and get up-close-and-personal with her giant walking beam engine.
USS Smith at Santa Cruz
Sunday, June 15, 2PM. In the Maritime Museum. No fee.
A slide program recounting the unsung heroics of a Mare Island-built destroyer at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands during World War II.
Art of the Sailor: Palm and Needle
Sunday, June 29, 2PM. Aboard Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier. Vessel admission.
During the Age of Sail, the art and technique of sailmaking and repair was a necessary component for working sailors. Watch a ranger demonstrate the skill of palm and needle.
The Past, Present and Future of the Schooner C.A. Thayer
Saturday, June 14, 2PM. Meet aboard Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier. Vessel admission.
Adapting to multiple careers, the C.A. Thayer has survived more than a century. Learn how the restoration of this 1895 West Coast schooner will preserve not only the vessel itself, but a variety of vanishing maritime traditions.
I.K. Brunel: The Man and His Ships
Sunday, June 8, 2PM. In the Maritime Museum. No fee.
A fascinating look at an engineering genius, using museum models of three of his vessels: Great Western, Great Britain, and Great Eastern--all ancestors of the modern passenger ship.
Living History: A Day in the Life: 1901
Saturday, June 14, 10AM-3PM. Aboard the historic vessels. Vessel admission.
Meet Balclutha’s captain and his wife. Discuss SF Bay ferries with Eureka’s captain. Visit a San Francisco lady of distinction aboard the Ark houseboat.
Living History: Set the Topsail
Saturday, June 14, 10:30AM. Aboard Balclutha. Vessel admission or watch free from the pier.
At the officers’ command, watch the Living History crew aboard Balclutha go aloft to set the topsail. They may need help with some other work around the ship, so look lively and lend a hand!
Chantey Sing
Saturday, June 7, 8:00PM-midnight. No fee. Aboard an historic vessel at Hyde Street Pier. Reservations required: call 415-556-6435 or e-mail peter_kasin@nps.gov.
Sing traditional working songs aboard a floating vessel. Bring a cushion and a mug for hot cider!
Music of the Sea for Kids
Saturday, June 21, 2PM. Aboard Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier. Vessel admission.
History comes alive for kids in this special program, where the songs are geared for younger ears and chosen especially for fun. Ages 8 and up.
Just What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor? ... History Through Song
Sunday, June 15, 2PM. Aboard Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier. Vessel admission.
Songs tell the story of the past. Join a park ranger to learn about the life of sailors at sea through the work songs they sang.
A Singing Tour of the Balclutha
Sunday, June 8, 3PM. Aboard Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier. Vessel admission.
Walk the decks of the 1886 sailing ship Balclutha to locate places where shipboard songs were sung. Help turn a capstan and a bilge pump while singing along (optional).
Wreck of the Balclutha
Saturday, June 28, 2PM. Meet aboard Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier. Vessel admission.
Nearly a century ago, Balclutha was "totally wrecked" on Alaska’s barren coast. Learn about this true story of disaster and terror on the high seas.
Pet Goats and a Charthouse of Her Own
Saturday, June 14, 3PM. Aboard Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier. Vessel admission.
Only the ship’s captain could bring his family aboard. Join a park ranger to learn about the unusual life of families at sea.
Introduction to Bronze Casting
Weekend of June 21-22, 8AM to 5PM. Fee: $100. Instructor: Samuel Johnson.
Learn how to build your own melting furnace, make patterns for boat hardware, and cast them in bronze. Construct a furnace suitable for melting most non-ferrous alloys as well as basic blacksmithing. Learn how to build all necessary foundry equipment. Patterns for cleats, oarlocks, port lights, and other boat hardware will be made and cast in bronze. The casting session will focus on split-patterns and cope & drag sand casting. Skill Level: No experience in working metals needed, moderate experience in woodworking helpful but not necessary.
Gunkholing!
June 8-13. Fee: $160. Instructor: Pete Evans. For reservations, call 415-561-6662.
Explore the rivers, bays, and sloughs of the area with a fleet of traditional small craft. Bring your camping gear, a seaworthy vessel, and a taste for adventure. The park’s scow schooner, Alma, will follow as a base camp. Reservations necessary. Limited space available.
