Other-waters

The Alma is an 1891 built scow schooner, which is now preserved at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in San Francisco, California.

History of the Alma

The Alma is a flat-bottomed scow schooner built in 1891 by Fred Siemer at his shipyard at Hunters Point in San Francisco. Like the many other local scow schooners of that time, she was designed to haul goods on and around San Francisco Bay. Able to navigate the shallow creeks and sloughs of the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta, the scows’ strong, sturdy hulls could rest safely and securely on the bottom and provided a flat, stable platform for loading and unloading. Whilst principally designed as sailing vessels, scow schooners could also be hauled from the bank or poled in the shallows of the delta.

Until 1918, the Alma hauled a variety of cargoes under sail, including hay and lumber. Thereafter she was demasted and used as salt carrying barge. In 1926 a gasoline engine was installed, and the Alma became an oyster dredger, remaining in this trade until 1957.

In 1959, the Alma was purchased by the State of California and restoration commenced in 1964. In 1988, she was designated a National Historic Landmark. She is now one of the exhibits of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and is to be found moored at the park's Hyde Street Pier.

External links

• San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park website - Alma webpage

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