Scow Schooner Alma and Shrimp Junk Grace Quan’s upcoming visit to Isleton!
From the late 1800’s through the 1920’s scow schooners connected The Delta and San Francisco by hauling cargo up and down the river. These sailing barges carried hay down from Sacramento to feed the horses of San Francisco, while also ferrying lumber from San Francisco up and down the meandering Sacramento River.
During that same time period, San Francisco’s Chinese fishermen built their own traditional looking junks to fish for shrimp in the shallows of San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. These junks, built with American lumber and Chinese boatbuilding techniques, provided shrimp for San Francisco markets as well as for drying and shipping overseas.
Over the weekend of May 6th -8th, Alma, the last remaining scow schooner will visit Isleton along with the Grace Quan, a replica of a late 1800’s San Francisco Bay shrimp junk. The two vessels, from San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park will open their decks for a number of events over the weekend.
On Friday, May 6th, grade school classes from Isleton will visit Grace Quan dockside and sail Alma on the river. Students will learn the histories of both boats and their connections to The Delta, while helping to set sail on the Alma and navigate her down the river.
Saturday, May 7th both Alma and the Grace Quan will be docked at the Isleton town dock and open to visitors free of charge. Come on down and explore the boats! Both Alma and Grace Quan will be open from 11 AM until 4 PM, with crew onboard to answer questions.
Sunday, May 8th, Alma will take a public sail along the river, leaving from the Isleton city dock. Pack a lunch and enjoy a relaxing Mother’s Day on Alma’s deck---or try your hand hauling up the sails! Along the 3-hour sail we’ll learn about the history of the Alma and her various careers on the river while enjoying the view. Boarding begins at 11:00AM and Alma will sail from 11:30 til 2:30. The cost of the 3-hour sail is $20 for adults and children age 12 and under are free. Reservations may be made during the open house on Saturday. Cash only, please.
For more information on Alma and Grace Quan’s visit to Isleton, please contact Mariah Gardner at mgardner@maritime.org, phone 415-292-6664 or email us at info@isletonhistory.org.
