[Tom Adams]

Yesterday, we dug 2 exploratory trenches at the location we believe is the 1850 riverboat “California”.

The site is on the Sacramento River in Butte County and the “California” was attempting to be the 3rd riverboat to reach the town of Tehama. It was a modeled hull side wheeler constructed in Maine. She was heavy with freight in low water on Aug 1st 1850 when she was “snagged” and turned astern into the current. She sank with the bow upward.

Capt. E.C. Boober, returned to Sacramento to secure assistance to free his ship. When he returned, he found that the fine people living nearby had removed the top deck of his ship and made a saloon. This building later became the courthouse for the County of Colusi in the town of Monroeville.

Currently we have found that the “California” was carrying a load of bricks. And the load appears to be mainly on the starboard side. Maybe the ship is slightly on her side. Nails and wood fragments have also been found.

Once the rain begins, we will lose our window to explore further as the site while not near the river; the ground water at the site fluctuates with the river elevation. This maybe all the work that will be done this year at this historical location as soon the river will raise the water table.

Thanks,
Dave Freeman
Artois, Ca.