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Story
December 26, 1854
The Hillsdale Standard
Hillsdale, Hillsdale County, Michigan
What is this article about?
The crew of HMS Plover, ice-bound in the Polar Sea since 1847, arrives in San Francisco in 1854 and is shocked by the city's growth from a small trading post to a bustling metropolis, unaware of major events like the Mexican War and California's cession to the US.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A Curious Surprise-A Seven Years Sleep. -A letter from San Francisco to Mr. R. R. Harris. of this city. from his brother, relates a curious incident that occurred here a short time since. which we do not recollect having seen in print.
Her Britannic Majesty's exploring ship Plover arrived at San Francisco a short time since from the Polar Sea, where she had been ice bound since 1847. When she left San Francisco, some years ago, it was a mere trading station resorted to by a few vessels in pursuit of hides, and the town or place contained only a few adobe houses.
The captain and crew of the Plover expected to find the same San Francisco, in 1854 that they left in 1847. The captain thereof sailed into the bay without a pilot and approached the city in the evening. He was much amazed at the numerous lights he saw. When he awoke from his dream of seven years the next morning, he found a noble city occupying the site of the ancient San Francisco. He had known nothing of the Mexican war. and cession of California to the United States, and the many other great events that had taken place during the time he had been locked up in the frozen regions of the north:
Her Britannic Majesty's exploring ship Plover arrived at San Francisco a short time since from the Polar Sea, where she had been ice bound since 1847. When she left San Francisco, some years ago, it was a mere trading station resorted to by a few vessels in pursuit of hides, and the town or place contained only a few adobe houses.
The captain and crew of the Plover expected to find the same San Francisco, in 1854 that they left in 1847. The captain thereof sailed into the bay without a pilot and approached the city in the evening. He was much amazed at the numerous lights he saw. When he awoke from his dream of seven years the next morning, he found a noble city occupying the site of the ancient San Francisco. He had known nothing of the Mexican war. and cession of California to the United States, and the many other great events that had taken place during the time he had been locked up in the frozen regions of the north:
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Exploration
Fortune Reversal
Survival
What keywords are associated?
San Francisco Transformation
Polar Expedition
Ice Bound Ship
Hms Plover
Seven Years Sleep
What entities or persons were involved?
Captain Of The Plover
Mr. R. R. Harris
Brother Of Mr. R. R. Harris
Where did it happen?
San Francisco, Polar Sea
Story Details
Key Persons
Captain Of The Plover
Mr. R. R. Harris
Brother Of Mr. R. R. Harris
Location
San Francisco, Polar Sea
Event Date
1854
Story Details
The HMS Plover, ice-bound in the Polar Sea since 1847, returns to San Francisco in 1854. The captain and crew, expecting the small trading post they left, are amazed by the transformed city, unaware of the Mexican War, California's cession, and other events during their absence.