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| Landmark #973 | Solano County | Visited: February 15, 2014 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | The remains of the prolific shipyard of Matthew Turner! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: In 1882, Matthew Turner of San Francisco relocated his shipyard to Benicia. Turner, the most prodigious shipbuilder in North America, constructed 228 vessels, 169 of which were launched here. In 1913, the shipyard was purchased by James Robertson, who operated it until 1918. The yard sways, and the Whaler Stamboul, used as a shipyard work platform, are visible at low tide.
OTHER TIDBITS: Matthew Turner had spent so much time trading with Tahiti that he really felt the need for nautical speed! So, he abandoned a lot of traditional aesthetics and designed some of the fastest sailing ships in the world! In 1901, his four-masted Amaranth set a sailing record by reaching Shanghai from Astoria, Oregon in only 23 days! The William C. Irwin then traveled from San Francisco to Maui in 8 days and 17 hours! His masterpiece, the Galilee made it from Papeete, Tahiti to California in only 22 days, which blew other sailing records, well, out of the water! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Matthew Turner Shipyard Park Foot of W 12th St off of W K St Benicia, CA 94510 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~380mi (612km) — 6.4hrs |
| When should I go? | Visit the park any time between sunrise and sunset! |
