The Frank M. Coxe leaves Burlingame – Update!

Frank M. Coxe (aka The Sherman) has been scrapped late as of December 2019:

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/A-ship-with-no-home-The-sad-but-colorful-and-14926296.php?cmpid=gsa-sfgate-result

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City of Vallejo

City Manager’s Bi-Weekly Report

Vol. 6, Issue 26

Oct. 26, 2018

Greg Nyhoff, City Manage

Sherman Judgment

The Sherman is a 145-foot vessel that weighs 500 gross tons and entered the Vallejo Marina in March 2017. Unfortunately, the Sherman has caused damage to the Marina’s docks, and in September 2017, the Sherman’s owners abandoned the vessel and stopped paying rent. The Neighborhood Law Program subsequently filed a lawsuit against the owners of the Sherman seeking damages, daily penalties, and injunctive relief. None of the defendants filed a response to the lawsuit and the City sought a default judgement. The judge agreed with the City and signed a Court judgment finding that the Sherman was trespassing in the Vallejo Marina, the owners are in breach of contract with the City, that the Sherman is being maintained as a public nuisance, and that the Sherman constitutes marine debris and abandoned property. The judge awarded the City $17,274.78 in damages and labor and $78,350 in daily penalties. Most importantly, the judgment gives the City the authority to remove and destroy the Vessel with the City being able to recover these costs from the owners. The City is currently pursuing estimates for disposal.

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October 31, 2015 The Sherman Saga Continues: Update thanks to the Stockton Record online newspaper!

http://www.recordnet.com/article/20151031/NEWS/151039949

On June 15 2014, the Sherman was removed from Sanchez Channel after 43 years in Burlingame.

The Sherman Restaurant in the historic 91 year old S.S. General Frank M. Coxe closed its doors early in 2010 after approximately two years after opening. About four and a half years later a group of new investor owners arranged to have the S.S. Coxe towed in June, 2014, back to Stockton, where in 1955, it had been stripped of its engines and machinery and converted to the “Showboat Restaurant,” the first of her eleven floating restaurants.

Built as a 150-foot river steamer in 1922 in West Virginia for the Army Quartermaster Corps, the S.S. Coxe was sent to San Francisco to serve as a harbor transport for Army personnel and their families between mainland San Francisco and the island forts around the bay.

After being decommissioned from the Army in 1946 the S.S. Coxe became a scenic cruise ship in the bay until 1955 when it steamed under full power to Stockton to become the “Showboat.”

In 1958 the S.S. Coxe was towed to Oakland and soon continued as the “Showboat” in Jack London Square for about 12 years.

In 1971 the Ship was towed to Burlingame’s Sanchez Channel for its longest period in one location, 43 years. One by one, nine different restaurants were opened and closed during this time.

Here are some photos and a video of the “towing”event.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vrMya91TU8

Update! The artifacts related to the ship have been acquired by the National Park Service Golden Gate Nat’l Recreation Area Museum Collection, and will be housed in the Presidio Building Archive in S.F. where they will be available to the public for research and viewing! We are so pleased the Nat’l Parks Service will be taking good care of them into the future.

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4 Responses to The Frank M. Coxe leaves Burlingame – Update!

Daryl OConnell says:

February 9, 2017 at 3:40 pm

I believe I own a vintage set of salt and pepper skakers in the shape of a ship. Printed on the side is SS Frank M Coze, San Francisco. Is there a place where this can be displayed? I can send photos. Thank you.

- burlingamehistory says:
  
  February 9, 2017 at 8:55 pm
  
  Yes. We would love to have them. You can send them to Burlingame Historical Society, PO Box 144, Burlingame, CA 94011. We will in return send you a deed of gift for your files. If you need to contact me, please use russ@russcohen.com. Thanks.
  
Carol leyva says:

November 20, 2019 at 5:55 am

Wow I member this boat it had can can girls dinner and I knew the man that was killed my sister and him were gonna get married I was a young girl then

Bill Stuart says:

May 11, 2023 at 12:09 am

I was 9 years old when i would fish there. This is back in 1974 my mother would drop me off and i would fish all day. What a different time that was i now live in oklahoma and was gonna show my wife the showboat i fished at. I was looking it up and i am sad to hear it is gone that is ok i still have very fond memories I remember climbing on the boat catching all kinds of fish lots of perch. Well so much for this i still have my memories maybe i can find some pictures of it and show them to her. If you happen to have any pics i would love to see them