Blasting of Shag Rock No. 2 in San Francisco Bay, CA, 1900 Sep-Nov

This view of the explosion was taken from the roof of the American Steel and Wire Company, at the corner of Bay and Mason Streets (Meiggs Wharf, later Fishermen's Wharf). Barge office at left. Alcatraz in view. See info. file for more information.[CR][CR]Three rocks were destroyed in the San Francisco Harbor between 1900 and 1901: Shag Rock No. 1, Shag Rock No. 2 and Arch Rock. Shag Rocks No. 1 and 2 were in a line from Alcatraz to Sausalito and almost directly in front of the Golden Gate. Shag Rock No. 1 was north of Arch Rock.[CR][CR]The contractor hired to blow up the three rocks was Rudolph Axman of Los Angeles (sometimes referred to as Rudolph Axemann and Robert Axman).[CR][CR]Shag Rock No. 1 (also known as Barrel Rock) was blown up on April 30, 1900. He next blew up Shag Rock No. 2 (also known as Little Shag Rock) which was completely submerged under water, on September 5, 1900. There was a second explosion on November 24, 1900, to remove debris from the former explosion.[CR][CR]Preparations to blow up Arch Rock (located midway between Alcatraz Island and Lime Point) begain in September 1900, and the crown was blown off Arch Rock on November 4, 1900. The rest of Arch Rock was blown up on August 15, 1901.[CR][CR](Sources: Pacific Rural Press, Volume 58, Number 11, 9 September 1899, page 172; Sausalito News, Volume 16, Number 12, 21 April 1900, page 3; San Francisco Call, Volume LXXXVII, Number 162, 1 May 1900, page 1; Sausalito News, Volume 16, Number 32, 8 September 1900, page 5; San Francisco Call, Volume 87, Number 157, 4 November 1900, page 27; Sausalito News, Volume 16, Number 44, 1 December 1900, page 3; San Francisco Call, Volume 87, Number 77, 16 August 1901, page 1)