4727

1872

STEAMER "SACRAMENTO" SHIPWRECK LETTER BY A.G. SMITH

Ten-page letter written by A.G. Smith of Connecticut, signed with the initials "AGS", to his sister Mernie, of Groton, Connecticut, on December 5, 1872, postmarked January 4, 1873. Narrates his voyage from New York to California and describes first-hand his experiences during the wreck of the sidewheel steamer Sacramento off the Baja Coast in December 1872.
Each sheet 8" x 5".
Condition: Excellent, with as expected wear from handling.

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  • Provenance:
    Douglas Stein, Past on Paper, Ledyard Connecticut, 2002.
    The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.

    Notes:
    A.G. Smith departed New York aboard the steamer
    Henry Chauncy , crossed the Panama isthmus and joined Sacramento at Panama City for the voyage to San Francisco. Smith began writing his letter at sea December 5, 1872, describing to his sister his experiences thus far, including crossing the Panama isthmus. That night, Sacramento struck a previously uncharted reef approximately 3 miles from San Geronimo Island off the Baja Peninsula and about 200 miles south of San Diego. The survivors spent six days on San Geronimo Island before being rescued by the steamer Montana and taken to Los Angeles, where they arrived safely December 15. Smith finished his letter, including the shipwreck narration, on board Montana and mailed it after arriving in Los Angeles. The "unknown" reef off Geronimo Island has since been named Sacramento Reef after the first vessel known to have wrecked there. The Sacramento 's 268 tons of general cargo and $1,500,000 in gold coin were salvaged.

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March 1, 2023 9:30 AM EST
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