San Francisco Shipwreck Week

San Francisco Shipwreck Week 2023

Ahoy, mateys! This is your port of call for everything you need to know about Shipwreck Week, brought to you by Western Neighborhoods Project (WNP) on October 7-14, 2023.

Shipwreck Week: like the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week but also nothing like that because we do not talk about sharks (and also we are not affiliated in any way with the Discovery Channel). WNP brings together local folks and nonprofits to serve you eight full days of curated podcast episodes, videos, articles, merchandise, and in-person happenings – all to remember the ships we lost around San Francisco, and the people who sailed with them.

We hope you enjoy this whale of a lineup:

Saturday, October 7th: On the “Outside Lands San Francisco” podcast, Chelsea Sellin and Nicole Meldahl dive into two harrowing shipwreck stories they first learned about in “Shipwrecks at the Golden Gate,” written by James Delgado and Stephen Haller
Sunday, October 8th: A moment of silence for those who perished on the sea.

Monday, October 9th: WNP’s student volunteer Drew Moss drops a brand new History Minute video on our YouTube channel that answers a very important question: why are there so many shipwrecks around San Francisco?

Tuesday, October 10th: Join us for a no-host hangout at The Riptide at 3639 Taraval Street from 6-9pm (21+ only with valid ID). Happy hour pricing will be in effect until 7pm, and yes: there will be a spicy rum cocktail special. Plus, we’ll have a robust Chantey Sing at 7pm thanks to our friends at San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. This event is free but please RSVP through our Eventbrite in advance so the bar can properly staff the evening.

Wednesday, October 11th: Visit opensfhistory.org to read about the second life of the oil tanker Lyman Stewart after it wrecked on Lands End in 1922. Written by John Martini, this article was only available to WNP members until today. Not a member but looking to come aboard now? You can join the crew through our Membership Page.

Thursday, October 12th: ShipWRECKED! We’re hosting an illustrated, lively conversation between two former National Park Service historians and longtime friends: Stephen Haller and John Martini, moderated by Executive Director Nicole Meldahl. Plus, film footage from the Prelinger Archives! It’s all happening at the Balboa Theater from 6:30-9:00pm. General admission tickets are $40 and special VIP tickets are available for $70. See our Eventbrite listing for more details and to claim your seat before this voyage sells out.

Friday, October 13th: The Great Highway gallery rises from the deep and reopens. The gallery will be the official purveyor of WNP merchandise! John Lindsey is back and he’ll be serving you local art next door to his forthcoming restaurant, Rusty Ladle. Come out to 3649 Lawton Street from 6-9pm to celebrate the return of this Sunset District anchor, and get your Shipwreck Week souvenirs while supplies last – including limited-edition prints of exclusive illustrations by local artist Norio Fujikawa. Plus, the Aloha Uke Squad will be there to perform popular music that everyone loves!

Saturday, October 14th: Say bon voyage to Shipwreck Week by joining us for a Lands End History Walk with John Martini. Tickets are $10 for WNP members and $20 for non-members. (Kinda sounds like you should join the crew, huh?) Then, wind down from the tidal wave of happenings you’ve experienced during Shipwreck Week by listening to the latest episode of “Outside Lands San Francisco,” starring special guest Sabrina Oliveros, San Francisco Maritime National Park guide and podcast host.