A Tradition Born on the Fourth of July
In 1867, the Boatmen's Protective Association made an impressive contribution to the Fourth of July celebration by staging a race between the large coastal schooners and the sailing scows of the San Francisco Bay Area. It was so successful that it was repeated in 1868 and again in 1869. At that time, they reorganized under a new title: the Master Mariners Benevolent Association.
The regatta became a fixture of the Fourth of July festivities, and San Francisco Bay's reliable summer afternoon wind guaranteed an active race. Thousands of spectators watched from the top of Telegraph Hill.
The Original Races
The original races started between Goat Island and the foot of Telegraph Hill, headed towards Hunter's Point, then in a reach off toward the mouth of Oakland Creek. Beating back toward Telegraph Hill, out to the Gate, and ending the race in a pleasant run back. Thirty to forty schooners participated.
Right-of-way encounters and individual duels were usually settled by bare knuckles, the throwing of coal, or with buckets of sea water. These rugged workmen of the bay came forth not for the trophy, but to put on a show for their city — to display their pride in their country, their boats, their companies, and to exhibit their skills as seamen. The climax was the evening ball where winners were announced and prizes distributed. Winners gained custody of a silken, gold-tassled, red, white and green banner decorated with a strutting gamecock and the word "CHAMPION."
A Long Hiatus
In 1878, for the first time since 1867, there was no regatta. In 1879 it was revived, but not again until 1884 and 1885. In 1891 only 13 vessels showed up. The spirit of the Fourth had changed. Engines were appearing on the scene, and the workboat skippers had lost interest in sailing for fun.
The 1965 Revival
In 1965, the Master Mariners Regatta was again revived in honor of National Maritime Day. Where the boats in the 19th century races were big lumber schooners, hay scows and other workboats, today most are traditional pleasure yachts.
Sponsors, rather than owning the boats, were drawn for the entrants at an annual luncheon — originally held at the St. Francis Yacht Club, and in later years at the Golden Gate Yacht Club, with post-race festivities at the Encinal Yacht Club.
The House Flags, furnished by the sponsors and flown by the vessels, the classic lines of the entrants, and the general spirit of fun and good will all enhance the feeling of stepping back in time to the Master Mariners Regatta.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1867 | First race by Boatmen's Protective Association, Fourth of July |
| 1869 | Reorganized as Master Mariners Benevolent Association |
| 1878 | First gap — no regatta held |
| 1884–85 | Brief revival |
| 1891 | Only 13 vessels; steam engines displacing sail |
| 1965 | Full revival in honor of National Maritime Day |
| 1965–present | Annual regatta on Memorial Weekend |
The Tradition Today
The modern Master Mariners Regatta brings together 75 to 100 traditional sailing yachts and work vessels every Memorial Weekend. The fleet includes gaff-rigged schooners, classic wooden yawls, ketches, sloops, and the occasional working vessel — all competing in the same waters where San Francisco's maritime economy was built.
The start is still signaled by ALMA, a hayscow schooner built in 1891 and operated by the National Maritime Museum — a living link to the original races of the 1860s.