California Gold Rush

SS California rounding Cape Horn, 1848-1849
Voyage from New York City to San Francisco
Original drawing, with permission, © M. Chisholm, 2006

The information on this site is taken from microfilm copies of the New York Daily Times, the Boston Daily Evening Transcript, the Panama Star, Panama Herald, New York Herald, New York Weekly Tribune, and the New Orleans Picayune. The lists will proceed through the years. When possible, passengers will be linked to the ship they later boarded on the Pacific side of the Isthmus for the final leg of the journey to San Francisco.

"INDEX to the ARGONAUTS of CALIFORNIA" by Libera Martina Spinazze. This work, by Charles Warren Haskins, is a compilation of 27,000 names of California pioneers who entered the State prior to 1850.

The MHP site contains an extensive collection of passenger lists from ships arriving at the Port of San Francisco during the California Gold Rush, Pacific Coast maritime history and California history. Passengers found departing the East Coast may also be found arriving in San Francisco on the Maritime Heritage Project passenger lists.

Brief description and picture of bark, ship, brig, sloop, barkentine, brigentine, schooner, etc.

Boston Daily Evening Transcript

YEAR
1853	1854

Daily Star (Panama)

(English language newspaper published in Panama)

DATE	DESCRIPTION
November 14, 1851	*Hungarian Patriots arrive in Panama aboard U.S "war steamer" Mississippi.*
December 7, 1851	1851 deaths of American citizens reported to U. S. Consulate.
December 16, 1851	Arrivals at Panama City Hotels, December, 1851.
January 20, 1853	1852 Oregon Trail - list of wagon train deaths on the trail.
February 18, 1853	*"Card" - SS Cortez* passenger list.**
March 6, 1853	Complimentary "Card" - Western Hotel - 3-6-1853
March 30, 1853	*Passenger list for SS Northern Light* (from NYC) and SS Daniel Webster (from New Orleans) connecting to SS Independence for San Francisco.**
May 1, 1853	SS Illinois - Passenger list.
May 4, 1853	"Complimentary Card." - Short passnger list - SS Illinois.
May 6, 1853	"A. Card." - Short Passenger list - SS Illinois and SS Philadelphia.
May 13, 1853	SS Pacific to San Francisco: "Caution to public"; long passenger list.
October 8, 1853	*British steamer Bogota* - Passenger list and Card.**
December 8, 1853	*British steamer Bolivia* - Card with short passenger list.**
February 2, 1854	Distinguised Arrivals in Panama City.
February 2, 1854	Two "Cards" of appreciation for services across the Isthmus.
February 17, 1854	"Card" of appreciation for hospitality at California Hotel.
March 21, 1854	*British ship Bolivia* - passenger list.**
April 16, 1854	*"Card" complimenting SS Yankee Blade.*

New Orleans Picayune
(First published January 25, 1837)

YEAR
1848	1849	1850	1851

New York Herald

DATE	DESCRIPTION
12-2-1848	Steamship Falcon
12-3.1848	Steamship Panama
12-28-1848	Steamship Isthmus
1-7-1849	*Ship Cristoval Colon (also known as Chris Colon)*
1-15-1849	*Bark Croton* and the Tarolinta**
1-16-1849	Brig Osceola
1-17-1849	*Ship Appollo, bark Rolla, schooner Olivia, and the North Bend.*
1-18-1849	*Schrs. Sovereign* and Samuel Roberts, barks Eugenia, Madonna, and H.T. Bartlett, and pilot boat Anonyma.**
1-19-1849	*Brig John Endus/Ender, barks Eugenia* and Neumpha/Neuphar, and ship Grey Eagle.**
1-23-1849	"Woodstock Company" from Vt. - Messrs. Simmons, Hutchinson & Co.
1-24-1849	*Ships Pacific* and South Carolina, and barks Hersilia, Mazeppa and Florida.**
1-25-1849	*Brig A. Emery* and ship Capitol.**
1-26-1849	Vessel *Charlotte, ships Jane Parker* and Architect.**
1-27-1849	*Schooners Velasco, G.H. Montague* and Laura Virginia, ships Tahmaroo and Montreal, barks Marriettta, Mazeppa and Mary Stuart.**
1-28-1849	Schooners Boston and Decatur, barks Eliza, Phillip Hone, and Azim, ship Pharsalia, and brigs Mary Stuart, Mary Wilder, Almena, and Victory, and the Hampton Mining and Trading Company.
1-30-1849	Ships Wm. G. Hackstaff, C.G. Scull, and Hopewell passenger lists.
1-31-1849	*Brigs Sarah M'Farland, Endora, schooner John Castner, and shipTrescott/Prescott.*
2-1-1849	*Ship Orpheus, brig Winthrop, and bark Mara* passenger lists.**
2-2-1849	*Ship SS Falcon, schooners Mystic and Sea Witch, bark Mara, and the Corsair* passenger lists.**
2-3-1849	Ship SS Falcon and barks Mara and Drummond.
2-4-1849	Barks Bonne Adele and Suliote, and brig Columbia.
2-5-1849	*Bark Keoka* and schooner James R. Whiting passengers.**
2-6-1849	**SS Crescent City, barks Strafford and Rochelle, ships Panama, Leonore, Othello, and Daniel Webster, and brig Columbus.**
2-7-1849	Barks Ann Welch, John Potter, Hebe, Emma Isadora, *and Dimon, brig Bathurst, ships Magnolia* and Xylon, schooner Pomona.**
2-8-1849	Ships Robert Bowne and Clarissa Perkins.
2-9-1849	*Bark Isabel, schooner Col. Flanning, ship George Washington, brigs Acadian* and Rodolph, steamer Montgomery and "Holyoke Mining Company."**
2-10-1849	*Unnamed overland expedition from New York City, brig Samson, bark Pleiadas, and another unnamed overland expedition from South Carolina.*
2-11-1849	*Ships Morrison* and Sabina, barks Rodolph and the vessels Keoka, Emily Bourne, Tremont, and Anne.**
2-13-1849	*Barks S.L. Crowell* and Cameo, ship Duxbury, and schooner Rialto.**
2-14-1849	*Schooner Gager, bark Lenark* and Toure, brig Col. Taylor.**
2-15-1849	*Ship Sarah and Eliza, brigs Sarah* and Emily Bourne, bark Velasco, and schooner John Allyne and SS Panama officer list.**
2-16-1849	*Schooner Gazelle* and vessel Eudorus.**
2-17-1849	Steamers Panama and Orus, bark Guilford, ship Henry Lee, and schooner Mary W.
2-18-1849	*Steamer Panama, and ships Audly Clark* and Elizabeth Ellen.**
2-19-1849	*Unnamed ship passengers of Adelphi Company, ship Ward Henry* and schooner Paragon.**
2-20-1849	Unnamed group from Cincinnati, OH.
2-21-1849	*Brigs Mary* and Empire, steam propellor Hartford, and small, unnamed group from Ohio.**
2-22-1849	*Barks St. Mary, Nautilus,* and Kirkland, steamboat Iowa, and vessel McKim.**
2-23-1849	*Barks Bogota, Nautilus, Anne, and Belvidere, brigs Perfect* and Brothers, and schooner J.W. Herbert.**
2-25-1849	*Schooner General Morgan, ships John C. Costar* and Mason, and steamship Galveston.**
2-26-1849	Ship Levant.
2-27-1849	*Brig Isabella Reed* and bark J.A. Jesurun.**
3-1-1849	*Barks Mallory* and Orb, and schooner Newton.**
3-2-1849	*Steamship Northerner* and brig Abrasia.**
3-4-1849	*Barks Courier* and Vernon, and schooner Peerless.**
3-5-1849	*Ships Regulus* and Sweden, schooner Edwin, barks Algoma and Thames, brig Jennett, steamship Isthmus, and an overland group from New Jersey.**
3-7-1849	*Schooner James L. Day, ship Charlotte, bark Edward Fletcher, unnamed group from Cincinnati, OH.*
3-9-1849	*Steamship Falcon, barks Palmetto* and Mousam, Norumbeag, and Henry Harbeck.**
3-13-1849	Steamer Maria Burt, ship Loo Choo, brigs Henrico and Sea Eagle, barks Russell, Winthrop, Nauumkeag, and Floyd, schooners Emeline, Crescent City, and John A. Sutter, and an overland group from Talbot County, GA.
3-15-1849	*Steamer Crescent City, schooners Splendid* and Alfred, ship Henry Astor, and brig St. Andrew.**
3-16-1849	*Steamer Crescent City* (2nd , longer list), schooner Viola, and bark J.G. Colley.**
3-18-1849	Barks Susan and Clarissa, brig Dr. Hitchcock, steamships Alabama and Globe, ship Salem, schooner Harriet Neal and Horace, and overland groups from Ohio, Indiana and New York.
3-19-1849	*Ship Mariana.*
3-20-1849	*Steamship Palmetto, bark Griffon, and schooners Friendship* and St. Mary, and overland group from New York.**
3-21-1849	*Schooner Willimantic, brig Arabian, bark Lagrange, and overland group from Wisconsin.*
3-22-1849	*Brig Major Eastland, and overland company from Massachusetts.*
3-23-1849	*Bark Santee, ship Samoset, and overland association from Massachusetts.*
3-24-1849	*"Full and complete list" of passengers on ship Samoset.*
3-25-1849	*Ship Flavius, bark Yoeman, and overland company from Baltimore.*
3-28-1849	*Brig Leveret* and bark Linda.**
3-29-1849	*Ship Mayflower.*
4-1-1849	*Barks Rising Sun, Plymouth* and Canton, ships Obed Mitchell and Glenmore, steamship Falcon, and overland group from Washigton, D.C.**
4-2-1849	*Ship Thos. Bennett* and overland groups from Kentucky and Virginia.**
4-3-1849	*Col. Webb's Company Disaster, brig Canonicus, ship York, bark Montgomery.*
4-7-1849	Barks Phenix/Pheonix and Emma Isadora, ships B.R. Milan, Tyrone, and America, brigs Taranto and Perfect, and Planet, steamers Alphonse de Lamartine and Yacht, and vessel J.L. Webb.
4-8-1849	*Bark Charles Devans, ship Areatus, "Franklin Mining Company" from Ohio, and unnamed company from Ohio.*
4-10-1849	*Ship Balance, and overland companies from Georgia and Arkansas.*
4-15-1849	Ship Memnon, schr. General Worth, brig Vesta, steamers Col. Stanton, Thames (British) and Robert Morris (New Orleans Trading and Mining Company), and overland companies from Ohio, Indiana and Missouri.
4-18-1849	*Steamship Crescent City.*
4-19-1849	*Bark Galindo, ship Francis Ann, and "Boston and Newton Joint Stock Association."*
4-22-1849	*Numerous overland companies, steamships Globe* and Falcon, ship Andalusia, and mention of the French brig L' Entreprenant.**
4-23-1849	News about unnamed company in Mexico.
4-24-1849	*Steamship Unicorn, barks Florida and Warwick, and ship Alhambra.*
4-30-1849	*Schr. Creole, steamer Meteor, and several overland companies.*
5-7-1849	*Bark Clyde.*
5-9-1849	Several overland companies.
5-10-1849	*Several overland companies, steamship Isthmus, and ship Susan G. Owens.*
5-11-1849	*Several overland companies, brig Susan and Abigail, and ships New Jersey* and Walter Scott.**
5-19-1849	*Barks Helen Augusta* and Ewbank, and brig Chatham.**
5-20-1849	*Ship Angelique.*
5-24-1849	*Steamship Crescent City.*
5-28-1849	*Bark Hannah Sprague* and bark Alice Tarleton.**
6-1-1849	*Brigs Meteor* and Thomas P. Hart, and bark Seneca.**
6-10-1849	*Bark J. Walls, Jr., steamship Isthmus, ship Jacob Perkins, and brig Ann.*
6-13-1849	*Bark J.R. Gardner* and brig Chas. J. Dow.**
6-26-1849	*Ship Oxnard* and bark Florida.**
6-29-1849	*Steamship Falcon.*
7-1-1849	*Steamships Crescent City* and Alabama, ship Vistula, and bark J. Merithew.**
7-2-1849	*Ship Constantine* and bark Tecumseh.**
7-10-1849	*Ship Prince de Joinville.*
7-15-1849	*Ship Louis Philippe, barks Philena* and Madonna, brig Patapsco, and brig Mexican.**
7-18-1849	*Steamship Empire City* and brig Emily Farnham.**
7-26-1849	*Steamship Falcon, bark Charter Oak.*
8-16-1849	Ship Mechanics' Own.
8-28-1849	*Steamship Falcon.*
9-16-1849	*Steamship Crescent City.*
9-21-1849	*Steamship Ohio.*
10-3-1849	*Steamship Crescent City.*
10-11-1849	*Steamship California. (Panama to San Francisco)*
10-18-1849	Steamships Ohio, *Empire City, and brig* *Glencoe*.
10-19-1849	Ship Henry.
10-20-1849	Ship Martha and brig James Caskie.
10-23-1849	*Brig Topaz.*
10-25-1849	*Schr. Harriet Lawrence* and brig Colorado.**
10-26-1849	*Steamship Alabama, ship Hercules, and bark Ninas* (sp?).**
10-28-1849	Schr. Alexander, and brig Geo. (or Gen.) Cobb.
10-29-1849	Ship Henry Ware and brig Archelaus.
11-2-1849	Ship Richmond, barks Rio and Walter, and brig Grecian.
11-3-1849	Bark Delaware and brig Ark.
11-4-1849	Brig Geo. Shattuck.
11-7-1849	Ship Alexander and brig Ganges.
11-8-1849	Ship Birmingham, bark Elen, and schr. Civilian.
11-9-1849	Bark Helen and schr. Sea Serpent.
11-10-1849	Vessel Agate and bark Cantero.
11-12-1849	Ship Nattakerset (Wattakerset ?) and schr. B.L. Allen.
11-14-1849	Steamships Ohio, Crescent City, ship Emerald and Euphrasia..
11-15-1849	Bark Orion and brig Triumph.
11-16-1849	Bark Orion (additional passengers to 11-15-1849 list.
11-17-1849	Vessel Maria, bark Domingo, and brig Metropolis.
11-18-1849	Schr. Woodside.
11-19-1849	Bark Careo (Carie ?) Mauran.
11-20-1849	Brig Sarah Abigail and Schr. Euby.
11-21-1849	Brig Sarah Abigail (complete list)
11-22-1849	Brig Geo. Ryan.
11-23-1849	Steamship Falcon, and ship Martha.
11-24-1849	Steamship Alabama, and vessel Plain.
11-25-1849	Ships Hannibal and Reindeer.
11-27-1849	Ship St. Mary.
11-30-1849	Ships Nestor and Herculean, barks Rhodes and Martha, brig Curacca (Curacoa ?), schrs. Abby P. Chase and Traveller.
12-1-1849	Bark Backus and brig Gen. Worth.
12-2-1849	Steamship Empire City, ship Chas. Cooper, and schr. American.
12-3-1849	Brig Annah (??) from Newburyport.
12-4-1849	Brig Quoddy Belle.
12-5-1849	Brig Tasse (Tasso ??), from New Orleans.
12-6-1849	Ship Cresco (??), and brig Major Eastland.
12-7-1849	Ship Cheshire.
12-8-1849	Vessel Eliza Ann, steamer Oregon, and ships Manchester and Crescent.
12-9-1849	Bark Byron and vessel Otterman.
12-10-1849	Vessel Marcia Cleaves, ship Citizen, and schr. Mary and Emma.
12-11-1849	Schr. Spray.
12-12-1849	Bark John A. Taylor, vessel Bidlow (?), and brig Hallowell (sp?)
12-13-1849	Vessel Belgrade.
12-14-1849	*Steamships Ohio, Cherokee, Crescent City, and Great Western.*
12-15-1849	Brig Orleans and schr. Astoria.
12-16-1849	Bark Florida and schr. Elizabeth E.
12-17-1849	Schr. S.D. Bailey.
12-19-1849	Steamship Telegraph.
12-20-1849	Barks Emma and Wm. O. Alden, brigs Samuel French and Victoria, vessel Siroo (sp), and schr. Billow.
12-21-1849	Steamship Wahama, ship Leopard, bark Louisiana, and brig Leveret.
12-22-1849	Schr. Damariscova (Damariscotta sp?).
12-25-1849	Vessel Crocus and brig Dr. Hitchcock.
12-28-1849	Steamship Falcon, ship Rowland, bark Chalcedony, and brig Ceylon.
12-29-1849	Ships Plymouth and Creole.
12-31-1849	Schr. Geo. Washington.

April 19, 1849	List of Departing Vessels, 1848-49.

New York Times

(first published September 18, 1851)

DESCRIPTION
Ships listed by departure date - 175+ passenger lists	Departures from NYC - 1851-1873
Ships listed by name - 175+ passenger lists	Departures from NYC - 1851-1873
Description of Ships	Steamers on the NYC - Central America runs
Maritime articles of Interest.	Odds and Ends

New York Weekly Tribune

DATE	DESCRIPTION
1-17-1849	*Ship Albany, vessels Edward Everett, Oxford, Forest, Aurora* and Oniota, and the "New England Pioneers."**
7-18-1849	*Ship Louis Philippe.*
12-15-1849	*Brig Orleans, vessel Eliza Ann* and steamer Oregon.**

Panama Herald

(English language newspaper published in Panama)
(first published April 14, 1851)

DATE	DESCRIPTION
April 9-13, 1851	Arrivals at Panama Hotels -- Long newspaper list of names.
April 21-28, 1851	Arrivals at Panama Hotels -- Long newspaper list of names.
May 23-26, 1851	Arrivals at Panama Hotels -- Long newspaper list of names.
May 12, 1851	*SS Brother Jonathan* - "Complimentary Card" signed by passengers.
July 14, 1851	SS Brother Jonathan - "Complimentary Card" signed by passengers.
August 4, 1851	Cocoa Grove Hotel - "Complimentary Card" signed by guests.
January 26, 1852	SS Independence - "Un-Complimentary Card" signed by passengers
March 23, 1852	ship Russell - "Complimentary Card."
July 23,1852	Pioneer (ship) & Taboga Hotel "Complimentary Card."
July 30, 1852	Western Hotel - "Complimentary Card"
August 13, 1852	American Hospital, Panama, patient list - June 25- July 24, 1852
January 25, 1853	Spring Hotel - "Complimentary Card"
February 8, 1853	Franklin Hotel - "Complimentary Card."
May 6, 1853	Tremont Hotel - "Complimentary Card"
September 3, 1853	American Hotel - "Complimentary Card" signed by guests.
September 3, 1853	American Hotel - guest arrival list for September 1, 1853.

Panama Star Articles

(first published April 14, 1848)

DATE	DESCRIPTION
February 24,1849	Passengers who have arrived in Panama City. Names but no ship identification.
March 17, 1849	Passengers who have arrived in Panama City. Names but no ship identification.
August 4, 1849	Ship Eugenia - passenger list for San Francisco.
August 11, 1849	Passengers who have arrived in Panama City. Names but no ship identification.
August 25, 1849	*"Card" naming some passengers on SS Empire City* (NYC to Chagres).**
August 27,1849	*Second "Card" naming some passengers on SS Empire City* (NYC to Chagres)**
September 24, 1849	Passengers who have arrived in Panama City. Names but no ship identification.
October 6, 1849	Passengers who have arrived in Panama City. Names but no ship identification.
November 10, 1849	SS Alabama - Partial passenger list.
November 20, 1849	American Free Masons in Panama
October 18, 1850	SS Falcon - List of passengers from NYC per the steamship Ohio, transferred at Havana to steamer Falcon for Chagres.
April 1, 1851	SS Republic - departs Panama City for San Francisco.
April 1, 1851	American Hotel arrivals