Page 27 - Historical Study of Yerba Buena Island, Treasure Island and Their Buildings

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FIGURE 5: Tule Boat Circa..Pre-1800.

It is thought that Sir Francis Drake, the English explorer/privateer, may have been the first
European to sight San Francisco Bay in 1579. He certainly sailed past the opening to the Bay.
He may have left behind a brass plate claiming Nova Albion (New England) in the name of the
Queen. A brass plate which is considered to be Sir Francis Drake's Nova Albion plate was
found in 1937 and is currently owned by the Bancroft Library at University of California,
Berkeley. Its authenticity continues to be questioned. However, had he actually entered San
Francisco Bay, it would seem likely that he would have commented on the harbor in much the
way that the Spanish explorer, Gaspar de Portola, did. Consequently, Portola is generally given
credit for being the first European to sight and document the San Francisco Bay in his 1769
journey up the coast of California. One of his men, Crespi, described the harbor as a " ... very
large and fine harbor, such that not only all the navy of our most Catholic Majesty but those of
all Europe could take shelter in it."

In 1773, Antonio Maria Bucareli y Ursua, the Spanish Governor of Mexico, sent a land
expedition to Alta (Northern) California with a twofold purpose: (1) to survey the land; and (2)
to establish a Spanish presence in the area to counteract the Russians who were coming south
from Canada, as well as the British from the east. During 1775, he also sent Juan Manuel de

1-4 Historical Study ofYerba Buena Island, September I, 1995
Treasure Island, and their Buildings