Explore the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park!

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is located on Hyde Street Pier in the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood.

The park provides insight into Pacific Coast maritime history with a visitor center, maritime museum, maritime research center, aquatic park historic district, and 10 different historic ships, including the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma.

Exploring the 1891 Scow Schooner at Alma at San Francisco Maritime NHP

Explore the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma

What is a Scow Schooner?

I am not sure of the nautical information about ships and sailing you may know, so I think the best place to start is by giving you a few definitions.

A Scow is a smaller type of flat-bottomed barge. Some were even sailing scows like the Alba.

A schooner is a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig, fore and aft rigged on all of two or more masts. With only two masts, the foremast is typically smaller than the mainmast.

Flat-bottomed Scow Schooner vessels like the Alma were used in the 19th and 20th centuries to carry cargo in coastal waters. They had several advantages of navigating shallow water or small harbors. The depth of the Alma was only four feet and traveled on water instead of through it getting them to most places.

These boats are also more stable on calm water unlike the rounded or v-shaped hull on ocean-going boats. The boats that travel through water is much more stable in choppy water.

Some could even be beached for loading and unloading cargo. The downside to a Scow is that they lose their seaworthiness in open water and during storms.

Why is a Scow Schooner worth preserving?

So now that we know what the Scow Schooner is, why would it be an important part of maritime history and at the park?

From the 1850s to the early 20th century, Scow Schooners were San Francisco's delivery trucks of the time. They transported supplies all up and down the San Francisco Bay area and its waterways. Remember, this was before automobiles, and San Francisco's natural highway was the water.

It is estimated that 400-700 of these boats were built in the San Francisco Bay area to do this work!

Today, the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma is the last of her kind. It was a vital part of the growth of the San Francisco Bay Area.

View looking down Hyde Street Peie at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

History of the Scow Schooner Alma

Fred Siemer moved to the San Francisco area from Germany in 1865 and started a shipyard at Hunters Point in southeast San Francisco.

He built two different scow Schooners; the first was named after his daughter (Adelia), and the second was built for his son-in-law James Peterson and named for Peterson's daughter (Alma)

The Alma was built with thick, horizontally laid planks. This unusual practice gave the Alma the benefits of economy and strength but also sacrificed speed and ease of repair.

The Alma hauled numerous types of cargo over its career. She carried hay and lumber under sail. Peterson removed her masts in 1918 and began carrying sacks of Alviso salt while being towed as a barge.

Frank Resch purchased the Alma in 1926. He installed a gasoline engine, and from then to 1957, the Alma carried Oyster Shells, which were carried by a 22-foot by 36-foot wooden bin installed on the deck.

The oyster shells were plentiful in the San Francisco Bay and free for the taking. The Alma would carry 110-125 tons of oyster shells each week to Petaluma California where is was used in chicken feed.

The Alma was then sold in 1943 to John Gambetta, who operated it until 1957 when it was retired.

the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

10 Facts about the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma

The Alma was built in 1891

The overall length is 80 feet

The registered length is 59 feet

The Beam (width) is 22.6 feet

Its Depth is 4 feet

Gross tonage is 41.76

The height at the foremast is 67 feet

The Alma was retired in 1957. The boat was still seaworthy, it just was no longer profitable to operate.

The State of California purchased the Alma in 1964 and saved her from being laid on the Alviso mudflats.

The Alma was transferred to the National Park Service in 1978 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968

Ranger at sign to line up for the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma sailing into San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Fee

7-day individual park pass - $15 per visitor

San Francisco Maritime Annual Park Pass - $45 Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to San Francisco National Historical Park.

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Ranger working the ropes on the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma while sailing in the San Francisco Bay

Sailing on the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma

Did you know that you can go sailing on the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma?

Visitors can sign up for this when on the park's sailing schedule. On this tour, you can haul lines, raise sails, or sit back and relax as you explore San Francisco Bay aboard the 60-foot scow schooner.

During this unique and educational National Park Service sailing program, Rangers will share stories about Spanish explorers, the Gold Rush, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more!

This may be one of the most amazing National Parks experiences I have had to date!

We spent close to three hours sailing in San Francisco Bay and soaking in all of the sites.

My nephew Nathan was with us in San Francisco and we worked together to help raise the sails. Can you tell from my smile how excited I was?

Sailing by the Golden Gate Bridge was a total National Park Bucket List moment! We learned that in 2017, they were able to sail the Alma under the bridge a few times. The ability to do so depends on the weather, winds, and boat traffic during the sailing.

One of the highlights of the trip was sailing near Alcatraz Island. It was really cool seeing more of the island.

Seeing Alcatraz Island from the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma while sailing in the San Francisco Bay

The views of the San Francisco Skyline were unbelievable!

Things to bring with you - Water (no alcohol permitted), snacks, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, layers of clothing (for warmth and water resistance), closed-toe "active" footwear (no high heels), camera, and binoculars if you would like them.

Sunscreen, Sunscreen, and sunscreen....trust me on this! I might have forgotten this key element and the next day I had a nose like Rudolph and cheeks that were quite pink.

If you bring a hat, make sure to tie a string to it and connect it to your jacket or clothes. It can get quite windy, and many people had to grab their hats to make sure they didn't fly into the bay.

There are a few steps to get up onto the Alma from the dock. Once you have cleared these steps, you can spend the rest of the time sitting and soaking in the experience. There is seating available all around the boat you just want to make sure you are in a designated safe zone. The deck crew will point out the areas near the middle of the ship that you can not stand near.

Make sure to plan a time to explore San Francisco Maritime NHS before or after your sailing. There are so many cool boats you can tour at Hype St. Pier.

There is no food or drink available on the boat, so make sure you have eaten prior to your sailing. We stopped at In and Out down the street for a pretty quick lunch. You can also stop at Cioppinos Seafood Italian Restaurant down the block for delicious Italian food.

Sailing by the Golden Gate Bridge on the 1891 Scow Schooner Alma

Lodging options in San Francisco

There are a couple of National Park Lodges located near San Francisco Maritime NHP

Argonaut Hotel

The Argonaut Hotel is located within Fisherman's Wharf historic Haslett Warehouse building with epic views of San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz.

Book here.

Cavallo Point

Cavallo Point is located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. This epic hotel offers both historic lodging and contemporary rooms.

Book here.

Additional San Francisco Lodging includes:

Kimpton Alton Hotel - Fisherman's Wharf - Close to Lombard Street, Kimpton Alton Hotel - Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel provides a free daily manager's reception, a coffee shop/cafe, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Treat yourself to spa services, such as a deep-tissue massage or a facial. The onsite restaurant, Abaca, features Filipino cuisine. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with a bar and a 24-hour gym.

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf - located close to Lombard Street, and provides a free breakfast buffet, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a gym. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour business center.

Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf - 4-star hotel near Pier 39. Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco provides a terrace, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a bar. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. The onsite restaurant, Brick and Beam, features American cuisine. In addition to a 24-hour gym and a 24-hour business center, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Marriott Courtyard San Francisco - Located close to Lombard Street, Courtyard San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf provides a coffee shop/cafe, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a gym. In addition to a business center and a restaurant, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Marriott San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf - 4-star hotel. Marriott San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf, which provides dry cleaning/laundry services, a bar, and a gym. Be sure to enjoy a meal at Red Fin, the onsite restaurant. Stay connected with in-room WiFi (surcharge), and guests can find other amenities such as a business center.

For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando