There are numerous 4th of July fireworks displays around The Bay.
By Ed & Pam McGrath
Published: July, 2006
There are numerous 4th of July fireworks displays around The Bay. All you have to do is plant yourself or be floating in the right place.
It’s pretty exciting to be out on the water watching the sky explode into a dazzling display of lights. Well, that is, it’s a gorgeous sight if our frequent visitor, the mid-summer fog, doesn’t preempt the show. We’ve seen many Fourths of July in the Bay Area. Some have been crystal clear, leaving us breathless as fireworks exploded against the clear expanse of an unending sky.
One year, we boarded the Gaslight at dusk for our cruise out into The Bay to watch the Independence Day festivities. Ms. Fog was present, and with her were her usual companions, Drizzle and Cold. We huddled together for warmth on deck with the friendly group of celebrants. The wonderful thing about being on a boat, any boat, is that it just doesn’t seem to matter what the thermometer reads or whether you have additional entertainment. There’s plenty of enjoyment just being aboard (when aboard, you’re never bored).
The Gaslight is a historic reproduction of a scow schooner, and one of a number of Tall Ships that calls San Francisco Bay its home. It is a replica of the San Francisco hay scows that crisscrossed the bay during the 19th century before the internal combustion engine appeared on the scene.
The original Gaslight, was one of the unique sailing vessels built to carry cargo around San Francisco Bay and its connecting waterways. It was built in the 1870’s, and had a variety of advantageous characteristics which made them practical and completely efficient working vessels. They navigated in shallow water, handled well under varying conditions and maneuvered well in close quarters.
Today’s Gaslight, a replica scow schooner, was built and sailed by Billy Martinelli, who learned his craft by restoring historic vessels at The San Francisco Maritime Museum where the Gaslight has been a participant in the youth sailing program.
Other Tall Ships that either make The Bay their home or visit on a regular basis are the 80’ scow schooner, Alma, the 82’ schooner, Seaward, the 57’ ketch, Nehemiah, the 103’ Hawaiian Chieftain, the 130’ gaff topsail schooner Bill of Rights, the 76’ privateer Lynx and the 112’ Lady Washington, which can be seen in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean.
To see fireworks from Berkeley Marina, Jack London Square, Pier 39 or Sausalito, we highly recommend a floating celebration. But, even if you miss getting out on the water on the Fourth, there is a nice long summer season ahead of us.
Finally, be safe in your 4th of July celebrations and have a magical and thoughtful time. We will be reminiscing about the past and praying for a safe and prosperous future for all of us and for our beloved United States of America. Oh, Say Can You See? We see. We believe. We celebrate. We give thanks.
Book an excursion on the Gaslight by contacting the crew at gaslightcharters.com or The Golden Gate Tall Ship Society at www.ggtss.org.
Or to book an excursion on: Gaslight, a Tall Ship, Blue and Gold Fleet or another ferryboat, or even a canoe or kayak call (510) 452-9261 x109.
