Mission, BC • 2017

My apologies on the late post this month. Paris Photo really threw a wrench in my timelines and only now getting back on track. 

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In early 2017 I gained access to this incredible listing ferry from a gentleman who collected marine ships and it was John’s job (the only gentlemen in the shots below) to guard the boats from poachers who traveled up at night by boat, to steal the metal and fixtures on these incredible ships. He lived in a small trailer on the river bank and had a couple trusted hounds to help guard at night. The bigger one is a de-commissioned BC Ferry and outside of a location scout from The X-Files joining us for scouting needs, I have no real history on this ship. 

But the first vessel…….. The Sausalito Ferry.

Well that’s a different matter. Crossing the San Francisco Bay by ferry dates back to 1850 when ferryboats operated between San Francisco and Oakland. She was one of the last.In 1868, the Sausalito Land and Ferry Company purchased waterfront land in Sausalito and proceeded to layout streets and subdivide the central waterfront into view lots. They also began to operate ferry service between Sausalito and San Francisco, in part as a promotion for real estate development. The Princess, a small steamer was the first Sausalito ferry to serve San Francisco. A rail line also attracted people to what became a major transportation hub.

In 1875, the North Pacific Coast Railroad purchased the ferries. Then in 1907, the Northwestern Pacific Railroad purchased the railroad lines serving Marin County and the ferry service serving San Francisco. Sausalito became the hub of passenger transportation. In 1920, due to the unresponsiveness of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad to the demand for auto ferries passage, a new ferry company, the Golden Gate Ferry Co., was inaugurated and offered auto ferry service between San Francisco and Sausalito.

Prior to the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, ferry and rail service flourished. Following the opening of the Bridge in May 1937, ferry service between Marin and San Francisco declined and eventually came to an end on Friday, February 28, 1941. For the next 29 years, driving across the Bridge was the only way to travel directly between Marin and San Francisco.

I spent the day here working away alone and with my wife and then put together a small team and came back with Danielle Taylor to have some additional fun with this incredible location and find. Everything was done in trade and I think it was some cereal, a bit of milk and a case of beer to get this kind of access. 

A very memorable few days to play around and create some lasting images.