The steam tug Hercules is just one of several ships that have been relocated to the Mare Island waterfront in the past few months. The Hercules has joined the lumber schooner C.A. Thayer and the three-masted square-rigger Balclutha. The paddlewheel tug Eppleton Hall was at Mare Island for a time, but has temporarily relocated to Alameda for badly needed repairs. The only historic vessels left at Hyde Street Pier are the ferryboat Eureka and the scow schooner Alma. We have no information on when the Eureka will be moved. However, the Alma is scheduled to stay in San Francisco.
The move was necessary in order for the Park Service to conduct extensive repairs of Hyde Street Pier. According to the National Park Service website, “the historic ships will be accessible to visitors at Mare Island. However, the timing and level of access will depend on the condition of the ships and staffing availability.”
