The Journal of San Diego History
SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Summer 1988, Volume 34, Number 3
Thomas L. Scharf, Editor
Book Notes
Raymond Starr, Book Review Editor
California’s Maritime Heritage
By Martin P. Riegel. San Clemente, CA, 1987. Illustrations. Bibliography. 84 Pages. $14.00 Hardcover. $9.00 Softcover.
California’s Maritime Heritage provides a brief overview of a major factor in the development of California — its maritime roots. The short narrative covers the story from the first explorers through early traders, whalers, steamships, riverboats, lumber schooners and on down to cruise ships. The text is interspersed with good drawings and photographs, plus a number of lists. For instance, there are lists of Pacific Mail Steamers, 1849-1860, clippership builders, commercial sailing vessels built in California, California riverboats over 500 tons, and lists of the vessels of many steamship companies. There is also a bibliography. The volume’s usefulness is greatly reduced by the absence of an index. In general, however, California’s Maritime Heritage offers useful material for the serious student and a non-threatening introduction to California’s maritime past for the general reader.
