The herald., 1895-01-01

oOutaine very tnOr0ugn review OF the
ship history of Californis from the very
earliest times. IN which ia included
some references to early settlements and
business habits obtaining among the
ancient inhanitant of the Pacific slope.
Both as history and as literature the
article will be found well worth perusRl.
From the heights of Panama, ou the
25th OF September. 1913, Vauoa Nunsz
de Balboa discovered the Pacific. A
quarter of century later. ziminez, who
had acted as pilot for Cortss, discovered
Lower California. Juan Rodriguez Ca
brillo landed at Cspe st. Lucas in 1912,
and at San Diego on the 28th Of Sep
tember of the same year. He named
the spot San Miguel, which was
changed by Viscomo. Francis Drake
sailed from Plymouth. England, on De-
csmbsr Is. 1877. with five vessels. vary.
ing from Is to 100 tons, 166 men, of
which the Pelican was flagship.
On the Goth OF August, with thres ves-
sells, he entered the strsits of Magellan,
from which tempestuops arm of the sea
he emerged over month later with but
his own ship. After filling the ships
hold with the plunder ofSpsnish galleons
he decided to return to England by the
tabled northwest passage, thereby esosp-
ing any troublesome Spanish msn-of-war
that might be on the lookout.
June II, 1889, he touched at what Ia
now known 40 brakes bay, and took
formal possession of the c-antry in the
name Of Queen Elizsbe.-.
The log book q the Pelican gives the
latitude OF thr place of landing as 81
desrsss, 30 inmates, 36 seconds, which
MSlfAk;z-a quarter OF mile of Point
Il II q question Of doubt whether
either Drake or Cabrillo really entered
San Francisco bay, rs neither of them
mentions its excsllsnt hsrbor; and on a
map publiahed in Europe, in 1545. the
of San Francisco and Drake's
bay are sadly mixed, although the Far
allones. named after Drake'a pilot, Far
rslo, are correctly eharted.
In several later charts. Instructions to
nayi9ators for reaching the 'port of San
Frsncisco'' located II behind point of
land known 81 "Punta de los Reyes"
Even a. late a. 1912 the Russians, ask
ing permission to erect houses at Bodega
bay, designated the place as a ''little
north Of tho port Of San Frsnoiseo."
For more than century and half the
northern waters Of the Pacific remained
uudisturbed. In 1883 Admiral Otonde
and Jesuit Father named Kino visited
La Paz. but did not venture to Alta Oai-
iiornis. In 1897 Father Saliva Terra un.
dertook to oolonize the peninsula, and
established sixteen missions. The order
fell into disgrace, and was succeeded by
the Frsneiscans.
The Russian brig Ruriak, containing
. scientific expedition, arrived in the
harbur of San Francisco in 1916. In
1911 the port Of Bodega had been taken
possession OF by Alex. Koskoff.
Prior to the advent of the good Cor
bsds ship ''Don Carlos de Grande," in
1926, the Pacific had never been dis
surbed by civilized man. The Carlos
was - small srmed frigate of five hum
dYed tons burden. History is silent az
90 her commander, her mission or return.
From which time until its discovery
By the franciscan padres, in 1775. tine
berbor of San Francisco was lost to the
oommsrce of the world. Its final dis
ooveYy and location, it would seem,
we're due more to the desire to honor the
name of the founder of the order than
20 benefit commerce. After naming the
first missions. Padre Sierra suddenly
recollected that he should not forget to
honor the name of Francisco de Ash,
founder of the order. The viceroy, Gaps
tain Gaspar de Portola. replied:
'sShbw US good port beyond Mon
terey. and we will build mission there
in his name" The expedition sailed
from Monterey, and rediscovsred, in
l776, what is now known aR the Bay of
San Francisco.
The padres Thought little Of the com.
mercial advantages of the harbor, and
located the Mission Dolores de San Fran
cisoe about @ league distant.
During the Emission days" q little
strearn, known as Mission creek, ran
from she bay out to the mission and
beyond. The mouth of the creek was
At what is now known as the Potrero--
South San Francisco. Launches con-
ysyed goods and supplies up this creek
to the mission. After the mission ceased
20 exist, commerce with the ''interior"
vas no longer sough& by rival ship
owners and the creek fell into disuse.
For many years the bed hiss been built
over with large business houses.
one Of the first and auaintest vessels
that entered this port at the date of the
founding of the mission was a fishing
smack. twenty-four feet in length, made
II pir,e boards, engineered by Spanish
fa6ermen, The frail boat sailed, or
rsther was propelled, from Baja Cslifor-
MIA. II is mot known whether or not
che returned.
Commeroe was carried ON by means
of the bark vessels OF Indians and the
hoard fishing smacks of Mexicans, prior
n the advent of European vessels.
The sohconers, trading and fishing
vaasels which entered the Gate to un-
load their cargoes on the natives, created
! village nearer the shipping, and it
took the name OF Yerba Buena (goed
herb).
The first European vessel 10 enter this
mort. Of which there 10 any record, Was
the Eagle, in 1916, commanded by Capt.
VIM. II. Davis. She sailed from Bos.
ton. via the Sandwich Islands and Alas
K. She brought IN, assortment of
goods. which wAs revelation 10 the
natiyss and their garments Of akins and
hides wsfe subsrituted BY the clothing
of civilixation. Payments were made in
hides. talloW. soap and fish. The Eagle
then became engaged In ths sea-ottsr
trade, and was very successful. 90 offers
were plentiful in this bsy and all along
the oeaat. She made three trips, net
ting about 32b, 900 ON each trip. This
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