3.5 Cultural Resources
Most vessels carrying passengers first arrived at San Francisco, then sailed to San Diego aboard a regular
coastwise service vessel. Several ships offered passage from San Francisco to San Diego. As immigrants
poured in to California from the east, maritime activity in the San Diego coastal region increased steadily.
The great land boom of the late 1880s combined with increased development of port facilities in San Diego
encouraged maritime commerce. Additionally, technology in ship building and marine propulsion systems
further fueled maritime activity in the San Diego area.
The Mexican land grants were eventually sold to real estate developers who subdivided the Ranchos for
sale to the public. Del Mar was one of several towns that swiftly sprang up on old Rancho land. A large
natatorium was constructed in the surf zone near the foot of 10th street. Remnants of this ocean swimming
pool were still visible in 1974. A pier was also constructed near the foot of 10th street. The pier fell into
the sea twice during construction, knocking a large steam crane into the sea. Another victim of building the
pier was a barge that swamped and sank. Remnants of this vessel washed ashore in 1955. The pier fell
into disrepair and was demolished by the Navy in 1958.
Commercialfishing activities began during the last half of the 19th century. Several Chinese junks using nets
operated from San Diego Bay providing fish for local residents. Also, a whaling station began operation
on Ballast Point.
By 1900, the Navy began to realize the strategic importance of San Diego. The Great White Fleet arrived
in San Diego in 1908. While the entrance to San Diego Bay was too shallow to permit these large ships
to enter the harbor, small draft naval vessels did navigate into the bay.
During the 1930s prohibition smugglers used the north county beaches. Illegal shipments of bootleg liquor
were landed along the remote stretch of beaches and hidden in brush to await transportation by truck. On
July 13, 1939, a fishing barge which was anchored off Carlsbad broke her moorings and foundered on
shore. Named the Glenn Mayne, she was a 431-ton converted brig built in 1918. A large piece of the
hull washed ashore in the same general area in 1991. A severe storm caused the loss of another vessel off
Cardiff Beach in the late 1930s. The Jeannette R developed engine trouble and sank one mile offshore.
Remnants of what is believed to be this ship washed ashore in 1958.
The development of Oceanside Harbor as a small craft facility allowed recreational use of nearby fishing
grounds by a rapidly growing fleet of boats and small ships.
Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
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