BALCLUTHA
historic place
The Balclutha is a historic place in San Francisco, California. This steel-hulled, three-masted, full-rigged ship was constructed in 1886 by Charles Connell and Company in Glasgow, Scotland. Initially, the Balclutha operated as a general cargo trader. From 1887 to 1899, it transported coal and general cargo from Europe to San Francisco, returning with California grain. The ship then engaged in the Pacific Coast lumber trade from 1899 to 1902. In 1901, a special act of Congress granted the Balclutha American registry. From 1902 to 1930, under the name *Star of Alaska*, it served in the salmon trade, carrying men and supplies to Alaskan canneries and bringing back packed salmon. Today, the Balclutha is preserved as part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. It is a U.S. National Historic Landmark, designated in 1985, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The Balclutha remains the last square-rigged vessel afloat on San Francisco Bay.