History of Gas Light
Why is she named Gas Light?
Maritime history tells us there was a scow schooner named GAS LIGHT. She originally was commissioned in 1874 in South San Francisco. To supplement the flourishing scow schooner fleet in the Bay which numbered over 600 vessels, the original GAS LIGHT was named for her ‘modern’ take on a successful design. In the 1870’s, the large, populated cities of the world were beginning to be lit by the ‘modern’ technology of natural gas lanterns. The ‘gas lights’ were considered cutting-edge…..hence the name was given to a scow schooner in 1874 that incorporated a faster hull and more sail area to carry freight more efficiently than her competitors!
More than a century later, in 1990 craftsman and accomplished sailors Billy Martinelli and Carl Schumacher with the help of Harold Sommers and Karl Kortum (co-founder of the San Francisco Maritime Museum), designed the modern steel-hulled Scow Schooner GAS LIGHT and began building her in Sausalito, California. GAS LIGHT is truly a window on the proud heritage of the original working scows. After ten years of labor, meticulous attention to detail, and loving care, she was launched and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry up to 49 passengers and 5 crew. Billy Martinelli , the designer & builder joined us on a crew training day in 2022. You can see a link to the video here..
GAS LIGHT outwardly appears to be an exact replica of her 1874 namesake. Modern materials, shipbuilding science and an eye for detail have created a passenger yacht with uncompromising safety and comfort.
Step aboard, stretch out on the wide expansive decks and take in the unforgettable views. The best part? When you step below deck…. GAS LIGHT truly shines! Her interior is designed for complete comfort. The use of interior space for guests to mingle out of the weather can be experienced by all. Where freight was previously carried below and stacked 10 feet above the deck, now passengers can enjoy hot meals and a full bar! Beautiful hardwoods including teak, mahogany, red and yellow cedar line the cabins interior. The unique centerboard design of the scow schooner allows for this vessel to float in only 3 1/2 feet of water! Modern GAS LIGHT incorporates a 15 foot center-line table built of solid Burmese teak over the centerboard trunk, giving useful dining space to a functional design.
GAS LIGHT has a very high initial stability due to her scow design. Freight carrying capacity was of utmost importance to the scow schooners of yesteryear. Interestingly, the ability to easily carry twice their weight translates to an incredibly stable ride. The scow design is characterized by a flat, sharply -angled bow, flat sides and bottom coupled with a wide beam which translates to a vessel that simply does not “heel” or tip over in response to the wind’s pressure in the sails. Again, the history of the scow schooner design is responsible for GAS LIGHT’S inherent ability to impress her guests with total comfort in the windy, choppy waters of San Francisco Bay.
To merely step aboard GAS LIGHT, walk her decks and feel the wooden masts and spars invokes a feeling of nostalgia. Her guests immediately notice the spaciousness not only of her decks, but the ease in which one can walk around and go below…..only 4 easy steps into that huge open interior that consistently gets the “WOW” factor!
GAS LIGHT has a one of a kind open concept that is not only spacious but allows for guests to lounge both inside and out. No other sailing vessel on the Bay can claim as much upper deck or below deck space for passenger comfort.
We can truly say that GAS LIGHT’S scow schooner design is responsible for all of her incredible qualities.
When you get underway aboard GAS LIGHT, her design, function and unique characteristics will be something you will always remember. The ‘helm’ or steering wheel is also an original design. The steering system uses a continuous rope fed around a drum that on original scow schooners could be extended and raised far above the deck to give visibility to the captain over the top of the freight he was carrying. Now, come sailing on GAS LIGHT and step back in time. Her rigging is all manual. Meaning no winches or modern devices to help with the ‘sweating up’ of the three huge sails.
Everywhere you look, GAS LIGHT is full of historic charm, yet outfitted with modern amenities.