Shipbuilding Near Eureka, California

Rolph's Shipyard Near Eureka Cal. [Two Original Photos]

Notes: A pair of photographs of wooden-hulled ships, probably barkentines, under construction at Rolph's Shipyard in Fairhaven, on the Samoa penninsula across Humboldt Bay from Eureka, California.

The shipyard at Fairhaven was founded by Hans-Ditlev Bendixsen, a Danish shipbuilder, in 1869. He built about a hundred large vessels there until 1910, when he sold the business. It changed hands several times until it was acquired by San Francisco Mayor (and later California Governor James Rolph) in 1918. Rolph operated the yard for just three years, until it closed for good in 1921.

While best-known for its timber industry, Humboldt Bay, on California's far north coast, was lined with ship yards in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Photographs of shipbuilding on the bay are not common.

These are gelatin silver prints on 5-by-7-inch photographic paper (images slighly smaller).. The original mounts measure 8 by 10 inches.

Edition + Condition: The images are medium contrast on very good original mounts with small stains. A nice pair.

Publication: [Fairhaven, CA]: [Rolph's Shipyard], [ca. 1918].

Item No: #361636

Price: $150