SS Tennessee
Sidewheel Steamer · United States · Lost 1853 · San Francisco & the Northern California Coast
A Gold Rush passenger steamer wrecked in fog just north of the Golden Gate in 1853, giving its name to Tennessee Cove.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Built in 1848 in New York, SS Tennessee carried thousands of gold-seekers on the Panama run to San Francisco. On March 6, 1853, she ran aground in fog in a small cove just north of the Golden Gate, a total loss, though all aboard and the mail and baggage were saved. The site is remembered today as Tennessee Cove, part of the Marin Headlands.
Vessel
- 1848
- William H. Webb
- New York
- Wood
- 211 ft
- Not established
- 1275
- Steam, side-lever engine, sidewheels
- Pacific Mail Steamship Company
Loss
- March 6, 1853
- Navigational error
- Tennessee Cove, Marin County, California
- Pacific Ocean
- Panama → San Francisco, California
- Mail, baggage, and passengers
- Not established
- No lives were lost; passengers, mail, and baggage were saved.
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Within Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Position
- 37.85° N 122.63° W
- Approximate position
- Tennessee Cove, Marin County, California
Position approximates Tennessee Cove.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (80/100)
Maritime Heritage Project (maritimeheritage.org)
Build details, ownership, voyage history, and loss narrative.
