News Release
NPS Photos/Todd Bloch & Adrian McCullough
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Contact: Dale Dualan, 415-561-7006
San Francisco, CA – On Thursday, September 14, 2023, the third and final topgallant mast was installed or “swayed aloft” on the 1886 National Historic Landmark ship, Balclutha. The three-masted, square-rigged ship has been without topgallant masts for nearly 9 years.
Over the last two months, the park’s rigging crew, shipwrights, staff, and volunteers have worked together to install three new topgallant masts with new standing rigging- monumental steps towards achieving all components necessary to become a full-rigged ship again.
Swaying of the new masts was a major undertaking that required the time, training, skills, and expertise of a team of experienced riggers, shipwrights, and volunteers. “We couldn’t have done it without the hard work and dedication of our crew and volunteers,” said Josh Payne, Historic Ships Rigger.
Berthed at Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco, CA, Balclutha was built in 1886 in Glasgow, Scotland and sailed the world for many years, carrying cargo and passengers. It was acquired by the San Francisco Maritime Museum in 1954, transferred to the National Park Service in 1978, and has been a popular tourist destination ever since. The ship was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
Balclutha is continually undergoing comprehensive restoration and preservation work to maintain its historically accurate appearance and condition.
“Now that the fore, main, and mizzen t’gallant masts are swayed aloft, next will be crossing the yards,” said Payne.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, includes a fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and the Aquatic Park Historic District. Visit the park online at http://www.nps.gov/safr; follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ SFMaritimeNPS; and join us on Facebook @ SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP.
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Last updated: July 26, 2024