With the exception of a few alterations made during the course of her long career as a working vessel and as a museum ship, BALCLUTHA is essentially the same vessel as launched in 1886. She survives as the last square-rigged vessel afloat on San Francisco Bay and as one of only two American-owned square riggers yet afloat on the Pacific Coast. BALCLUTHA played an active role in the development of maritime trade and commerce in the U.S., including the grain trade between California and England, the Pacific Coast lumber trade, and the Alaskan salmon trade.

Information provided by the National Registry of Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service.