Moving the Historic Ships: Understanding Eureka's Rehabilitation and the Hyde Street Pier ProjectAs the National Park Service embarks on a crucial project to preserve the historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, many visitors may wonder why these iconic vessels are being relocated and what the future holds for the pier. This initiative is essential for ensuring the long-term safety and preservation of the historic ships. Below, we answer some common questions about the move and the work being done to protect these maritime treasures. The current Hyde Street Pier is more than 60 years old and is no longer structurally sound enough to safely support the historic ship fleet or the thousands of visitors who visit the pier each year. Due to safety concerns, some ships have already been moved, with three more scheduled to depart beginning no sooner than April - May 2025.
Mare Island, located in Vallejo, CA, offers the necessary facilities and expert contractors to work on the ships. It provides a safer environment for these fragile vessels compared to the rough waters and strong winds of San Francisco's waterfront. In August 2023, the NPS secured a long-term lease for riverfront property and ship berthing bulkheads at Mare Island, where there is ample space and resources to house and maintain the historic ships. The replacement of Hyde Street Pier is a long-term project expected to take several years. At this time, no demolition or construction contracts have been awarded, and planning is still in progress. As a result, the timeline for the ships' return remains uncertain. The Eureka will undergo the most extensive rehabilitation, including hull work, deck repairs, and updates to its electrical and safety systems. The C.A. Thayer and Hercules will receive routine maintenance and restoration work, which will be completed after their move to Mare Island. The Balclutha and Eppleton Hall are expected to need only minor work after being towed to Mare Island this fall. The Hyde Street Pier replacement and the restoration of the Eureka are funded through the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund, with a total allocation of $102 million. The ships at Mare Island are not currently open to visitors. We are planning on opening the ships to visitors in the near future, once infasctructure designed for visitor safety is installed. The timing and level of access will depend on the condition of the ships and staffing availability. The C.A. Thayer, Balclutha, and Eppleton Hall are currently moored at Mare Island and can be viewed from Mare Island, and Hercules and Eureka will soon follow. Signs with information about the ships have been installed. A cell-phone audio tour with information about the ships is available for visitors to access. Descriptive TranscriptA timelapse video of the ship Balclutha's tow away from Hyde Street Pier. The video starts early in the morning before sunrise with people working on the ship throughout the day, and ends when the ship is towed away.
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A timelapse video of the towing of Balclutha away from Hyde Street Pier, April 16, 2025. Documents Open for Public ReviewOther Plans and ProjectsAn archive of completed projects as well as projects without documents open for comment may be found on the PEPC website. Planning documents: |
Last updated: June 7, 2025