GUANO
Guano is the dried excrement of certain vertebrates, particularly seabirds. Peruvians have prized guano as an organic fertilizer since before the Spanish conquest in the 1500s. In 1804, a visitor to Peru took some guano back to Europe where it became in high demand. By the 1850s, Peruvians exported guano in large enough quantities that their harvesting soon outpaced the birds' production, and nest disturbance diminished bird populations. Peruvian guano was the standard by which all other guano came to be judged. Mid-19th century “guano-mania” prompted global exploration, during which time tens of thousands of tons of guano were imported into the U.S. In 1856, the U.S. Congress passed the Guano Islands Act which allowed American entrepreneurs to lay claim to every island, rock, or key not claimed by another country, that might possibly possess fertilizing agents. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, guano was also harvested on California's Channel Islands and the Baja California Islands of Mexico. The principal Yankee phosphate firms in the Pacific Basin included Pacific Guano of California, Pacific Guano of Massachusetts, American Guano, Phoenix Guano and United States Guano. On December 8, 1898 the vessel Helene was wrecked in Forney's Cove, Santa Cruz Island. She was hauling two tons of guano collected at San Miguel Island at the time. February 5, 1901 the Chinese junk Acme was wrecked at Baja, California's Geronimo Island. She had an estimated two tons of guano aboard, valued at $40. June 8, 1901 the vessel Francine sank in the vicinity of Gull Island on the south side of Santa Cruz Island. She was returning from San Miguel Island with 196 sacks of guano, about 2 tons, at the time. With the development of chemical fertilizers, the guano industry all but disappeared.
» Skaggs, Jimmy M. Great Guano Rush, St. Martin's Press, 1994.
- Guano: Anacapa Island
- Guano: San Clemente Island
- Guano: San Miguel Island
- Guano: San Nicolas Island
- Guano: Santa Cruz Island
In the News~
September 2, 1873 [Deseret Evening News (Utah)]: “The Italian ship Cestri-de-Ponenti, with a cargo of guano, was destroyed by fire at Guadalupe Island. Her crew was saved.”
July 25, 1895 [LAT/Ri]: “It is announced that J. W. Kishler of Riverside has obtained a concession from the Mexican government for the exclusive gathering of guano upon the western coast. The industry has grown into quite large proportions, fishermen and others owning vessels visiting the islands off the Lower California coast and returning with good cargoes…”
October 11, 1895 [SFCall]: “First cargo of guano. Ten tons of the fertilizer from Channel Islands at Santa Barbara. Prospect of this industry becoming of great importance to California. Santa Barbara, Cal., Oct. 10 — The first cargo of guano ever taken from the Channel Islands lies in this harbor today, having been brought in by the schooner Glenn, and now awaits a purchaser at $12 a ton. The cargo consists of ten tons, and was taken from the Gull or Princes Island, that beautiful mountainous islet lying across the mouth of Cuyler’s Harbor, San Miguel Island. This little isle possesses great historical interest from the decision recently reached by historians and scientists that it was somewhere along its summit that the body of Cabrillo, the famous early Spanish explorer, in all probability lies. There is more guano there, which will doubtless be shipped if this venture proves successful. The great drawback to obtaining it is the fact that the sides of the islands are so precipitous that the fertilizer has to be brought down in sacks on the shoulders of the sailors. The schooner Glenn hails from San Diego, where several vessels have long made good wages carrying cargoes of guano from the Southern California coast. The Mexican authorities, learning of this industry, recently effectually checked it by sending two armed vessels to patrol the Southern California coast. This has led those engaged in the business to make an inspection of the Channel Islands, and it is probable that a new, if somewhat limited, industry will be opened here in consequence. Aside from the deposits on Princes Island, there are large quantities on a rocky islet lying some eight miles off to the west of San Miguel. Anacapa has a considerable deposit, somewhat difficult to access. Other little islets could contribute their quota to the commerce, and San Nicolas Island, the southern member of the group, would probably repay the guano hunters’ visit. This guano is by no means so valuable in quality as that which is found in the rainless regions off the Peruvian coast, but is fully equal to that which is found on the Southern California coast. In the local market it is usually valued at from $10 to $15 a ton, but the most profitable sales are made to the Sandwich Islanders, where the planters whose land is impoverished, and who have no native fertilizers, pay as high as from $30 to $40 a ton for the California deposits. Should these deposits prove of sufficient extent, this is the market to which the guano will probably be taken.
October 17, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “The schooner Lou, from San Diego, was in the harbor today and has left for the new guano fields on the Channel Islands.”
September 12, 1896 [LAT/SD]: “Robbins, Morris and Carter, owners of the schooner General McPherson, have secured the exclusive concession of gathering guano on the Pacific and Gulf coasts of Lower California. The concession is owned by the Mexican Land and Colonization Company…”
May 10, 1897 [LAT/SD]: “The junk Acme has arrived with guano, and the schooner McPherson is due with more of this fertilizer.”
July 17, 1897 [LAT/SD]: “The junk Acme is the latest arrival from the south with a cargo of guano. It reports the total absence of hostilities in the guano district.”
May 31, 1898 [LAT/SD]: “Will Gerrull, well-known as a skipper of vessels of the guano fleet, was arrested this evening on a charge of smuggling Chinese into the United States. Francisco Reyes, who is accused of a like offense, was also taken into custody at the same time. Chinese Inspector Putnam of Los Angeles has been anxious to obtain the arrests of these men for the past two months.”
March 25, 1898 [LAT]: “San Diego. The Lower California Development Company and the Mexican government area about to make one more attempt to drive the mosquito fleet from the peninsula coast. The fleet consists of a lot of small schooners and sloops, mostly hailing from this port, which make regular trips down the coast for guano. They do not go through the formality of calling and clearing at Ensenada and paying the royalty to the company, which owns the franchise. Hence the anxiety. The guano poaching has been carried on probably for years. It is said that the genius who first discovered and developed the business was Oscar Bartels, a pirate. Bartels, a Russian Fin, has acquired a reputation from La Paz to Alaska as the prize pirate of the coast... This man saw, with a pirate’s keen vision, the money to be made in guano poaching. He operated awhile, until the taste for something stronger than guano led him to Alaska... Others took up the guano business and now there is a fleet of ten or twenty small vessels regularly bringing the fertilizer to this port. Most of it is shipped to Riverside to replenish the richness of the orange orchards. The guano imparts a rich color to the fruit and revitalizes the soil…”
March 2, 1899 [LAT]: “The guano poachers. J. W. Kishlar of Riverside was at the Van Nuys yesterday and in the afternoon left for Ensenada. ‘I have concessions from the Mexican government of the islands along the Mexican coast and in the Gulf of California,’ says Kishlar. ‘Last year I furnished guano from these islands to California and neighborhood. ‘Recently I have found that poachers on our islands have been bringing guano to San Diego, and actually selling it to me—my own guano. This is a good joke, but I can’t afford it. So I have fitted out the little power yacht Santa Barbara to go for these poachers. She sailed on Saturday from San Pedro. She doesn’t carry a gun, but she will fly the Mexican flag and will have authority to protect our interests. The poachers are Swedes, Frenchmen and Germans, and they have been doing this thing for the past five years.”
Guano: Anacapa Island
September 19, 1855 [SDU]: “The United States surveying schooner Ewing arrived in the harbor of Monterey Tuesday last, from Santa Barbara. The Monterey Sentinel furnishes us with particulars of the survey and exploration of the island of Anacapa, of which little has been heretofore known. Lieutenant McRae, of the Ewing, has been making a reconnaissance of the island for lighthouse purposes… Guano is found in large quantities, but as the winter rains injure it, it is very likely to be too poor in ammonia to be of use in agriculture. The sea birds of our coast resort in immense numbers to this island, and seals are very abundant; fish abound in great quantities, and are easily taken. The water is bold along shore.”
1913: “In 1913, Mr. E. G. Ruggles representing the Lima Bean Growers Association of Oxnard, wanted to lease East Anacapa Island in order to mine guano deposits off the rocks at the eastern end. The Lighthouse Service made some investigations and was unable to find any guano deposits there and since this was near the site of the unwatched island light the request was denied.” [Roberts, Lois W. Anacapa Island, 1983, p. 55.]
Guano: San Clemente Island
November 13, 1898 [LAT/SCat]: “The little schooner Amy, Captain Jenkins of San Diego, dropped anchor in the bay late Thursday night, party laden with guano. When interviewed, the captain stated that he had put in here in distress, having lost his skiff and tools, and that on replacing them he would return to Clemente Island, where he had a gang of Chinamen gathering guano and would complete his cargo and return home. Inquiry was made among the sailors and others here who have visited Clemente, as to the extent of the guano deposits on that island. No one was found who had seen any large deposits, and it was the general opinion that none such existed. Having replaced the articles lost, Captain Jenkins sailed away this morning.”
Guano: San Miguel Island
June 4, 1883 [DAC]: “A Santa Barbara fisherman has discovered near San Miguel Island, a smaller island, about three acres in extent, which is probably the largest nest of eggs in the world. The island is covered with a large layer of guano in which sea fowls of all descriptions were found laying or incubating eggs. The surface appeared to be almost entirely covered with eggs, principally those of the sea gulls, shags, and a small bird known as the saltwater duck. The discovered says it was difficult to walk without treading upon the eggs, and that it would be easy to load a ship with them.”
June 6, 1883 [LAT]: “Larco, an Italian fisherman of Santa Barbara, in a recent cruise about the Channel Islands discovered a small island, about three acres in extent, bare and rocky, in the vicinity of San Miguel Island, which was completely covered with eggs. The island is covered with a layer of guano, and here hundreds of seafowl of all descriptions had their nests. Like some of the islands in the Bering Sea, this little point of land was completely covered with eggs, principally those of sea gulls, shags, and saltwater ducks. Larco states that a shipload might be gathered in a short time. But as there was no market for them, their discoverer had no inducement to take a cargo aboard.”
October 8, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “The schooner Ellen from San Diego came into port last evening, after a cruise around the Santa Barbara islands in search of guano. San Miguel had been the objective point, but the supply of guano on that isle must have been limited to judge from the appearance of Ellen’s cargo.”
October 11, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “The first cargo of guano from the Channel Islands has been brought to port by the schooner Glenn, a San Diego craft. It comes from Gull Island, lying off the shore of San Miguel, and consists of ten tons for local orchardists. The Glenn’s captain reports quite a large deposit of guano on Gull Island, and the industry is likely to become of some importance.”
October 11, 1895 [SFCall]: “The first cargo of guano ever taken from the Channel Islands lies in this harbor today, having been brought in by the schooner Glenn, and now awaits a purchaser at $12 a ton. The cargo consists of ten tons, and was taken from Gull or Princes Island, that beautiful mountainous islet lying across the mouth of Cuyler's Harbor, San Miguel Island... There is more guano there, which will doubtless be shipped if this venture proves successful. The great drawback to obtaining it is the fact that the sides of the islands are so precipitous that the fertilizer has to be brought down in sacks on the shoulders of the sailors... The schooner Glenn hails from San Diego, where several vessels have long made good wages carrying cargoes of guano from the southern California coast. The Mexican authorities, learning of this industry, recently effectually checked it by sending two armed vessels to patrol the Southern California Coast. This has led to those engaged in the business to make an inspection of the channel islands, and it is probable that a new, if somewhat limited, industry will be opened here in consequence. Aside from the deposits on Princes Island, there are large quantities on a rocky islet lying some eight miles off to the west of San Miguel. Anacapa has a considerable deposit, somewhat difficult of access... This guano is by no means so valuable in quality as that which is found in the rainless regions off the Peruvian coast...”
October 30, 1895 [LAT]: “Another industry is about to be developed in Southern California. The first cargo of guano ever taken from the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara, was brought into that place a couple of weeks ago. It was taken from Gull Island, adjoining San Miguel Island, where the body of Cabrillo is supposed to be lying. The schooner which brought the guano comes from San Diego, and had been engaged in carrying cargoes of guano from the coast of Lower California, which enterprise was recently stopped by the Mexican government. There are said to be considerable deposits of guano on several other islands off the coast of Southern California. The shipment referred to is held at $12 a ton.”
November 13, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “A southeaster has been prevailing all afternoon, accompanied with dust. This is the storm that was brewing yesterday, and caused the capsizing of the Chinese junk, Chromo, which was on the way to the Hollister estate at Gaviota with a load of lumber. At the time of the accident there was one man on deck and two below asleep. Fortunately they escaped drowning… The Chromo had been here some time transporting guano from San Miguel Island, and Captain Ellis engaged her for this trip. He, Captain Jars and two sailors were aboard. All succeeded in reaching shore. The Chromo was drifting at the mercy of the waves at last report.”
October 31, 1897 [LAT/SCat]: “The sloop Alene, Captain William Forrest, from San Diego, anchored in the bay at 3:30 o’clock this morning. She is bound for San Miguel Island for guano.”
May 14, 1898 [LAT/SB]: “The schooner Alta, Captain Farwell, came in from San Miguel Island yesterday, loaded with guano.”
October 29, 1898 [SBMP]: “Vasquez, who runs a boat that freights guano from San Miguel Island, was caught in a heavy wind while on his way across the channel, soon after leaving for this side, on Thursday night, and to save his boat, crew and himself, was obliged to throw overboard a couple of tons of guano.”
October 30, 1898 [LAT/SB]: “Captain Vasquez, who runs a freight boat between San Miguel Island and the mainland, reports being caught by a sharp gale when half-way across the channel, which necessitated the loss of most of his cargo of guano in order to save his boat and crew.”
December 13, 1898 [SBMP]: “The yacht Helene, built a few years ago by J. D. Axtell and owned by Edwards & Company, is a total wreck in Forney's Cove on Santa Cruz Island... We [Rosaline Vasquez] had been at San Miguel Island for a cargo of guano. Beside Captain Vasquez and myself, there was a man named Charley from Carpinteria who was taking the trip for the pleasure of it, and the crew, José Olivas, G. Massia and José Cota. We sailed from San Miguel on the 8th with a fair wind. The cargo was 4-1/2 tons of guano...”
December 18, 1898 [LAT/SD]: “The schooner Amy, Captain Jenkins, arrived yesterday from Catalina and Clemente islands, after being out sixty days. She was given up for lost by her owner. She brings twelve tons of guano and a lot of abalone shells and meat. She also brought back Harry Frent and Andy Knudsen, who were wrecked at Fourth of July Cove, Catalina, on December 8.”
August 8, 1907 [SBMP]: “The power launch Stella, Captain Koch, arrived yesterday from San Miguel Island with a cargo of guano.”
October 25, 1916 [SBMP]: “Captain Chris Albertsen of the powerboat, Mascot, with his crew shot and killed an enormous whale at San Miguel Island a few days ago, and he came to the mainland with his prize, a big lot of baleen, the whalebone of commerce, last Monday afternoon. The whale was nearly fifty-two feet long, and it was sighted as Captain Albersen and his men were gathering guano on the island for the Los Angeles market, he having been engaged in that traffic for a long time past. The unusual cargo of the Mascot commanded a great deal of interest as the little craft lay at the wharf yesterday and the day before.”
November 3, 1916 [SBDNI]: “Captain Chris Albertsen of the powerboat Mascot, now lost, has a ‘smile that won’t come off.’ After losing his boat at San Miguel Island October 31 and suffering from October 30 with a broken arm which he received when his tender capsized in a storm, the captain arrived here this morning with Captain Eaton on the Sea Wolf, went to the doctor, had the neglected arm set, and came with the smile still on his face to tell his story at The News office. Captain Albertsen sailed from here to San Miguel to get guano from the bird rocks there. When he arrived at Tyler’s [Cuyler’s] Harbor there was a terrific storm blowing. He anchored his boat as best he could and tried to go ashore with his rowboat. A heavy fog added to the difficulties of making the landing and when the rowboat was about a hundred feet from shore it capsized, and in turning hit the captain’s arm and broke it at the elbow. When asked how he managed to get ashore in the storm with a broken arm the captain said: ‘I didn’t have any trouble. The next wave threw me high and dry on the shore.’ The captain smiled as he said it as if a hundred-foot wave ride with a broken arm followed by a tumbling on the beach was a pleasant experience. ‘If I had not broken my arm I would not have lost my boat,’ sail Albertsen. ‘I saw the boat pulling its anchor and making for certain destruction, but I was powerless to stop it.’ Albertsen did lose his smile today when he told of the commander of the Nightingale who Albertsen claims was in Tyler Harbor and left knowing that Albertsen had a broken arm and must suffer there until another boat came along to take him to the mainland.”
May 8, 1950 [SBNP]: “Robert C. Ord, member of pioneer family, dies. Robert C. Ord, well-known member of an early California family, died at 88 yesterday in a local hospital. He had lived in Santa Barbara 81 years. Mr. Ord operated a boat, Roncador, between here and the Channel Islands for many years. His tall, strong figure was a familiar sight on the Santa Barbara waterfront until recent illness confined him to his bed. One of his chief activities was bringing guano from the islands to the mainland. One of his early associates said today, ‘Bob knew the islands like a book. He made many trips to San Miguel, which is a tricky business. San Miguel manufactures all the wind for the south coast.’ ...Mr. Ord, who lived at 816 Castillo Street, leaves his wife, Alvina; a brother, Emmet G. Ord of Long Beach, and two sisters...”
Guano: San Nicolas Island
May 28, 1898 [LAT/SD]: “The sloop Dot is in from San Nicolas Island with a cargo of guano.”
October 16, 1903 [SBI]: “There is considerable worriment expressed on the waterfront because of the non-appearance of the schooner Restless, Captain Thorwaldsen, which has been away from here about two months. She left for Santa Barbara Channel Islands, particularly San Nicolas, for a cargo of guano. Since the Restless went away, the Ellen, Captain Osterhaus, has made two trips to the same island, having reached there in only five hours behind the Restless on the first trip. No word has been received from the Restless and she has not been seen so far as known here. — San Diego Union.”
Guano: Santa Cruz Island
July 13, 1902 [LAT/SB]: “The launch Restless arrived yesterday from Santa Cruz Island with a cargo of guano.”
August 10, 1912 [SBMP]: “There are indications that the guano industry is to be revived on Santa Cruz Island after several years of inactivity. Five tons of the fertilizer was brought to Santa Barbara for local consumers on the El Pepito of San Pedro yesterday.”
Guano: Farallon Islands
November 13, 1857 [Sonoma County Journal]: “Guano on the Farallones. The Pacific Farallone Company are busily engaged in collecting and shipping to this city a very excellent quality of guano found on the Islands. The guano is found in crystalized lumps, and contains a large proportion of ammonia. It is found in grottos or caverns, in inexhaustible beds, and promises to prove an incomputable source of riches to the company.”
Guano: Isla Guadalupe
May 13, 1857 [SDU]: “Guano. —Twelve tons of guano from Guadalupe Island, off the coast of Lower California, arrived in San Francisco on Friday last. The Town Talk says: "This island has been the cynosure of a number of speculators in this city, who have been active in endeavoring to obtain a lease thereof from the Mexican Government. It is situated near a group on which a large number of seals have from time to immemorial congregated. The article is of superior quality, but the deposit is not very large. There are several such islands on the Pacific and Gulf Coast of Lower California, one of which is said to be quite extensive, and valued at a large sum. The Tiburon Island opposite the valley of the Hermosillo and the Cerros Islands are bountifully supplied with guano, but rain, it is said, has ruined it as a fertilizer. Some twenty or thirty men, we learn, have been left on Guadalupe Island by the getters of this expedition, ostensibly to dig guano, kill goats and seals, etc., but we suspect their object in remaining is mainly to contest the rights of rival claimants.”
April 11, 1868 [DAC]: “The exports to Guadalupe Island per schooner Summer Cloud embrace a value of $183.”
