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Old Ship Saloon, Pacific and Battery
In 1849 the Arkansas, a three-masted ship out of New York grounded itself on Alcatraz island and was towed to this spot, then Yerba Buena Cove. Once docked, the ship's sailors abandoned it for the promise of the Gold Hills. Two years later an enterprising Englishman, Joe Anthony cut doors into the hull, installed gangplanks to the fo'c'sle of the ship, named it The Old Ship Ale House, and put up a sign, "Gude, Bad, an Indif'ernt Spirits Sold. Here! At 25¢ each." The ship's former cabin boy served as bartender. By 1855 the surrounding dock area was filled in and the Arkansas final berth was sealed forever. Two years later Chinese laborers were brought in to dismantle the ship and a brick hotel was built over the barroom which continued with the name, Old Ship Saloon. The saloon was damaged but survived the 1906 earthquake and fire. Later during the 1940s, the hotel was a brothel for World War II servicemen. Today the Old Ship Saloon still sits anchored to the corner of Pacific and Battery.
[ MAP D-15 ]