Black maritime history tour during SF Fleet Week
Capt. William Alexander Leidesdorff, a native of the Virgin Islands, was the first to recognize the commercial potential of the San Francisco Bay, building the first shipping warehouse at the corner of what is now Leidesdorff Street and California Street. The San Francisco Bay extended far into the current financial district before being filled in after the Gold Rush.
Capt. Michael Healy, a ship captain for the Revenue Cutter Service, predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard, was home ported in Oakland, from which he was assigned as the military governor of Alaska when the territory was first purchased from Russia in 1867.
Capt. William Shorey was commander of the last whaling ship to sail from the U.S. Pacific Coast. A community leader, he hosted Booker T. Washington during his 1903 visit.
Ships including the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Carl Vinson and the Blue Angels are in San Francisco for Fleet Week.
