Folder: S.F. Ships-Portsmouth
Written on back: "Built in 1839 : St. Mary, Saratoga and Portsmouth. Sloops of War. Commanded by Capt. Montgomery at landing at San Francisco. Raising of American Flag in 1846 1st time in S.F. at Portsmouth Square ; Brother of Joseph Slevin."
"Brother of Joseph Slevin" refers to the photographer, L.S. Slevin.
On July 9, 1846, a detachment of Marines from the Portsmouth landed at Yerba Buena and hoisted the United States flag in front of the Customs House, seizing California for the United States near the current day Portsmouth Square in Chinatown.
The U.S.S. Portsmouth was launched at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H, in 1843.
Negative #6744