Schooner Parallel “Blown to Atoms” 1887
The two-masted, 148-ton Parallel left San Francisco for Astoria, Oregon, with a mixed cargo & 42 tons of black powder & dynamite. Capt. W.C. Miller, fought against difficult winds for two days & finally gave up. The abandon-ship order put the 7-man crew into a lifeboat before the ship went on the rocks off Pt. Lobos & the Cliff House. The crew rowed to Sausalito but told no one of the dangerous cargo. Miller later was criticized for his actions.
A crew from the life-saving station at Golden Gate Park went to the wreck. They found no crew on board but did save a forgotten dog. About 1:30 a.m. 16 January 1887 the ship exploded. Badly damaged were the: Cliff House & cottage; Adolph Sutro’s residence on the Heights; & other structures. The blast injured 3 of the life-savers, blew debris for a mile & was felt 15 miles away at sea. Fortunately, no lives were lost. 40,000 curious spectators came to see the wreckage.
This plaque is dedicated to the courageous men of the U.S. Coast Guard (formerly Life-Saving Service).
Marker is on Point Lobos Avenue west of El Camino del Mar/48th Avenue.
Courtesy hmdb.org
