Ventura

Ventura (#) (1865-1875), 213-foot U.S. navy third-class screw steamer, Resaca, built at a cost of $201,230 and purchased by Goodall, Nelson & Perkins for $41,000. The boat was converted into a coastwise steamer in 1873 by Dickie Bros. at San Francisco for service as a steamer capable of carrying 145 passengers.

While serving in this capacity, Ventura was wrecked off Point Sur on April 20, 1875 and lost. Reports accused the captain of being drunk. The ship hit a cluster of rocks just north of Point Sur. Everyone aboard reached shore safely, leaving the ship to break up on the rocks and slowly sink.[

In the News~

'March 15, 1873 [Ventura Signal]: “Another Steamer. The enterprise of Messrs. Goodall, Nelson & Perkins knows no limits. Three years ago this port was visited by a little steamer, Occasionally; then came the Kalorama, once in ten days. Then in quick succession, the Constantine, making, in connection with the former, a weekly line; and now, it seems, we are to have a third and still better one, within a few weeks. Captain Johnson, the Company's resident agent here, informs us that the Resaca, known as one of the swiftest steamers in the U.S. navy, has been purchased by his company and is being refitted and will be in readiness to take her place in the line in a few weeks. Hew owners, in compliment to the people of Ventura county, and with excellent taste, have, have adopted the name, Ventura, for their new boat. Gentlemen, your enterprise is appreciated here, and then the Ventura makes her first appearance at our dock, we propose, with your permission, to press her into our service for a three days pleasure excursion to neighboring ports and islands.”

May 29, 1873 [SBMP]: “San Francisco, May 28.—Goodall, Nelson & Perkins' new steamer Ventura, has received all necessary caulking, etc., at the dry dock and been towed to the company's wharf, where she is being and put in order to take her place in the Santa Barbara and San Buenaventura line, in place of the Kalorama. She will sail on the 14th of June.”

July 10, 1873 [SBDMT]: “The steamer Ventura, with something over two hundred persons on board, left Stearn’s Wharf at nine o’clock on the morning of the 4th, bound for Santa Cruz Island. The vessel reached her destination at 12 o’clock, and the excursionists at once debarked and repaired to the magnificent grove near the seashore. The exercises were of an informal character, and consisted of a prayer by Rev. Dr. Bentley, reading of the Declaration of Independence by Mr. Fawcett, a short speech by Mr. Johnson in reply to a sentiment offered by Mr. Bentley, and a very handsome little speech by Captain Goodall, in reply to ‘The Commerce of the United States’…”