Born in Barbados, West Indies in 1859, Captain William Thomas Shorey served as the only black captain on the Pacific Coast during the rise of San Francisco as America's principal whaling port. Captain Shorey, known as "Black Ahab" by his crew, took his wife and daughter whaling on the Gayhead, upon which Mrs. Shorey remarked of their 4-year-old daughter: "Victoria is a remarkable sailor, she knows all the ropes and has perfect command of her father."


Did you know...

On "Bloody Thursday", July 5, 1934, more than 1,000 striking maritime workers and longshoremen clashed with police along The Embarcadero. Two workers died when police fired shots into the crowd at Steuart Street. This led to the San Francisco General Strike, which shut down the City for four days. Ultimately, maritime unions were recognized and wages and working conditions improved dramatically.

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Show me all markers in:  San Francisco, CA  |  San Francisco County  |  94105  |  California  |  United States of America

Folsom Street
20,000 Years Ago
Fast Tides, Frisky Winds & Wet Sails
Fireboats on the Bay
Hills Brothers Coffee
Howard Street
Harrison Street
The Big Strike
Audiffred Building
Spear Street

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