Zodiac (schooner)

Zodiac
Zodiac motoring east along the Lake Washington Ship Canal, just east of the Ballard Bridge, Seattle, Washington
History
United States
Name
  • Zodiac (1924–1931)
  • California (1931–1973)
  • Airdene
  • Zodiac
Owner
BuilderHodgdon Brothers
Launched1924
Identification
StatusHistoric landmark
General characteristics
Tonnage145 tons (gross) 89 (net)
Displacement220 tons
Length160 ft (49 m) (LOA) 127 ft (39 m) (on deck)
Beam25.2 ft (7.7 m)
Draft15 ft (4.6 m)
Depth of hold11.5 ft (3.5 m)
PropulsionCaterpillar 400 hp (300 kW) diesel
Sail planGaff-rigged topsail schooner 7,000 sq ft (650 m2)
Speed13.4 knots (24.8 km/h; 15.4 mph) (max), 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) (powered)
Zodiac (schooner)
LocationBellingham, WA
Coordinates48°43′19.4″N 122°30′47.7″W / 48.722056°N 122.513250°W / 48.722056; -122.513250
Built1924
ArchitectWilliam Hand, Jr.
NRHP reference No.82004248
Added to NRHP29 April 1982

Zodiac is a two-masted schooner designed by William H. Hand, Jr. for Robert Wood Johnson and J. Seward Johnson, heirs to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceuticals fortune. Hand intended to epitomize the best features of the American fishing schooner. The 160-foot-long (49 m) (sparred length; 127 feet (39 m) on deck), 145-ton vessel competed in transatlantic races. In 1931 the vessel was purchased by the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association, brought from the Atlantic, modified and placed in service as the pilot vessel California serving as such until retired in 1972.