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The fourth order Fresnel lens that once lit Point Montara Lighthouse gleams once again. This time, the beacon helps shed light on a new permanent exhibit called “Ships of the World” at the San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City, California. Highlighting local maritime events, the exhibit was unveiled during the Ninth Annual Maritime Day Celebration in March.
Donated to the museum in 1970, Point Montara’s Lighthouse lens has been on public display only periodically. The new exhibit provides a permanent place where it can be appreciated for years to come. Also featured are twenty-four model ships crafted by the late Charles Parsons, two oil paintings prepared by noted artist Fred Sinclair, a new video discussing Coastside shipwrecks, and a series of artifacts from the wrecks of two sailing ships in the mid-1800s.
Charles Parsons, who served in the Navy during World War II, later pursued a passion for sailing and model shipbuilding. Each of his exquisite model ships was painstakingly hand-crafted over an eighteen month period. Similarly, each of Fred Sinclair’s dramatic shipwreck renderings took five months to complete. The scenes portray the wrecks of the Rydal Hall in 1876 and the New York in 1898. Both shipwrecks occurred in the vicinity of Point Montara.
Bound from Cardiff, Wales, the Rydal Hall smashed into the rocks on October 17, 1876. Several of the crew drowned. Fortunately, vessels from the local area saved the captain and remaining crew. In 1971, abalone divers John Koepf and Roy Lee discovered the ship’s remains, including a thousand pound deck cannon, which is part of the exhibit.
Christened the T.F. Oakes, the New York was one of the most notorious ships ever to sail. Constructed in 1883, she was one of only three full-rigged iron sailing ships built in America. From the outset, her voyages were filled with controversy and bad luck. Returning to San Francisco from Hong Kong, she wrecked March 13, 1898. Scavengers claimed many souvenirs, including two large opium pipes, which are also on display.
Helping to launch the exhibit was maritime author and historian JoAnn Semones, who has studied shipwrecks and lighthouses along the central coast of California. Semones, who was interviewed for the exhibit’s video, was on hand to sign copies of her three books on the subject. They include Hard Luck Coast: The Perilous Reefs of Point Montara, Shipwrecks, Scalawags and Scavengers: The Storied Waters of Pigeon Point, and Sea of Troubles: The Lost Ships of Point Sur.
“Point Montara’s beacon and its shipwrecks serve as a significant symbol of California’s early maritime history,” Semones said. “Its soft glow gives us pause to reflect on the special people and unique events that are part of our local lore and deep coastal roots.”
The new exhibit is part of a refurbished gallery made possible by support from two key individuals and their families. Charles Parson’s widow, Suzanne, has remained an important benefactor for the San Mateo County History Association, underwriting children’s programs associated with the gallery.
In addition, Herman Christensen, who passed away late last year, contributed funds to remodel three of the museum’s permanent exhibits. Made possible by a grant from the Christensen Family Foundation, “Ships of the World” is the final project.
This story appeared in the
May/Jun 2014 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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