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The Galilee - A
Pacific Queen
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The
Galilee was a 180-foot brigantine built at
the Matthew Turner Shipyard in Benicia in
1891. It is considered to be the most
beautiful of all 228 ships built by Matthew
Turner. Turner was a pioneer of new
principles and techniques in ship design.
He reversed the old models and made ships
long and sharp forward, lean and full on the
water line aft. "Bermuda Sail" was
introduced by Matthew Turner.
Galilee
was built to be used on the packet line
between San Francisco and Papeete, Tahiti -
merchandise, passengers, and US and French
mail
were transported.
Galilee was a very fast ship and set a
record on her maiden voyage. It took 21
days to sail from Tahiti to San Francisco.
Her average voyage was 28, but similar ships
logged for 35 days! |
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Galilee in her
glory days. |
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In 1905 -
1911 Galilee served as the carrier for the Carnegie
Oceanic Magnetic Survey party. The purpose of the
survey was to correct the meager and inaccurate data
of magnetic variations gathered up to 1905. At this
time, modifications were made to the vessel. Every
ounce of metal not absolutely necessary was replaced
from the ship to reduce the influence on highly
magnetic apparatus to a minimum. The success and
real value of Galilee, as demonstrated during her
career with Carnegie Institute, are the
contributions made to navigation from the results of
her surveys. Galilee collected data from 64,000
miles of voyage that is still in use today.
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The Galilee as she is today
at Fort Mason, San Francisco. |
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After
the death of Matthew in 1909, Galilee was
sold to the Union Fish Company in 1911. At
this time Galilee was converted to a three
masted schooner and received her first
diesel engine. She was used in the codfish
industry until 1927. In 1929, Galilee was
used in the tuna industry. In 1933,
Galilee's voyages were over and she was
beached at the foot of Second Street in
Sausalito. The period between 1933 - 1975
was a devastating period for Galilee. She
had different occupants - from broke stock
market speculators in 1930's to retired
British Army Captain Quinn. Between 1933 -
1975 Galilee deteriorated and became worm
eaten in the mud flats of Sausalito.
In
1975, her stern was detached from the
remainder of the vessel. The stern was sawn
off just aft of the main cabin and brought
to Fort Mason, San Francisco. |
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There
are more pictures to see of the Galilee at
the Benicia Historical Museum and at
Fort Mason.
A
portion of her bow was brought to Benicia in
1987, where it remained at the City
Corporate Yard on East Second Street until
it was taken to the Benicia Historical
Museum in February, 1994.
And
so, the remains of Galilee rest at two
locations today. Studying the Galilee gives
us an opportunity to learn about human
behavior and development. The desperate
attempts by individuals to preserve her
involve another aspect of human behavior.
Attempts to save a part of our history ... |
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The Galilee Bow at the
Benicia Historical Museum |
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The
Benicia Historical Museum started a project
entitled "Galilee" with the following
phases:
Phase I:
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Replacing the old PVC cover with a
more stable one to protect the
Galilee from the elements.
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Display on Matthew Turner and the
history of the Galilee.
Phase II:
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Conservation treatment to stop the
deterioration, consolidate and
reinforce the bow.
Phase III:
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Bringing the two parts of the
Galilee together.
Phase IV:
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Exhibiting and promoting the
Galilee.
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Project "Galilee" Volunteers
November 23, 2002 |
Volunteers from the California Maritime
Academy in Vallejo, Round Table Pizza -
Benicia, Museum Board of Directors and
friends working on the cover of the Galilee
to better protect the ship from the
elements.
The
Benicia Historical Museum has formed a
Committee named "Friends of the Galilee" to
support completion of the project "Galilee",
to raise funds and to promote one of the
most valuable treasures of the city of
Benicia.
Send
us an email with your name, address,
work and home phone numbers and your email
address to sign up for this committee. You
can also mail us the information and/or
contributions to 2060 Camel Rd., Benicia CA
94510. |
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