NEWS RELEASE - AUGUST 8, 2007
Media Contact: Stefan Merkl 415 901-5256 smerkl@redandwhite.com
Explore the City by the Bay aboard Red and White Fleet’s San Francisco Cruises - A San Francisco Tradition Celebrates 115 Years
San Francisco – August 8, 2007 – The historic Red and White Fleet®, operator of the popular San Francisco Cruises, is proud to celebrate its 115th company anniversary. Founded in 1892 by seventeen-year old Thomas Crowley, the family-owned business has brought to life San Francisco’s unique and turbulent history for visitors and locals alike. Today, Thomas Escher, grandson to Thomas Crowley, is the third-generation owner of the Red and White Fleet.
Through the use of multitopical and multilingual audio tours aboard Red and White Fleet’s cruises, today’s visitors can relive San Francisco’s exciting history, while enjoying majestic views of the surrounding sights. Earthquakes, world wars and the building of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges are just a few examples of the historic events that have passed since Red and White’s first passengers traveled the bay 115 years ago, and are now vividly illustrated aboard the bay tours.
“At 5:16 in the morning, something unimaginable happened. Without warning, the ground began to shake and swell. The earth moved, buildings shook and collapsed, and streets buckled as nature unleashed one of the biggest tremors ever recorded. San Francisco’s great earthquake of 1906.”
- Tour excerpt describing the 1906 earthquake, part of the SF Explorer Cruise.
“The inspector called my name. Said Tai Fo. That means San Francisco bound, freedom. I was so happy, I was running around the place saying good-bye with the peoples crying because some of them have been there so long.”
- Actual interview excerpt of former Angel Island detainee Dale Ching, part of the Golden Gate Bay Cruise narration.
“Fifty-two months and 35 million dollars later, the last rivet was placed—gold, of course. The longest suspension bridge in the world was officially opened to all traffic at noon, May 28, 1937 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a telegraph key in the White House.”
- Tour excerpt detailing the completion and inauguration of the Golden Gate Bridge, part of the Golden Gate Bay Cruise narration.
“We are extremely proud to have such a long and rich history here in the Bay Area,” says company President Tom Escher. “We plan to continue sharing the history of the Bay Area and the city we love with both visitors, and those who have lived here for many years.”
CRUISE INFORMATION
Founded in 1892, the family-owned Red and White Fleet is legendary for its San Francisco Cruises. The company is committed to environmental sustainability, supporting community education and the preservation of San Francisco's unique history, and offering a fun and spectacular San Francisco experience to visitors from around the world.
The 1-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise®, San Francisco’s only bay cruise in 8 languages, departs 8 – 14 times daily from Pier 43 ½. Tickets: Adult (18-61) $21; Senior (62+) $18; Youth (12-17) $18; and Child (5-11) $14. The Red and White Fleet also offers the 2-hour California Sunset Cruise™, a relaxed twilight sail with a light buffet, from April to October, departing from Pier 43 ½. Tickets: Adult (18+) $48; and Youth (5-17) $33. The 90-minute SF Explorer Cruise, offers exciting tours of Natural History, Architecture, and the Native American Experience from the Ferry Building, Gate E. Tickets: Adult (18+) $39; and Youth (5-17) $26.
TICKETS and information: 415 673-2900, departure piers, or www.redandwhite.com. Children under age five ride free. Prices include all taxes, gratuities and fees. Major credit cards accepted. Easy access by public transportation. All vessels available for private charters. Group rates available for 15 or more guests. Snacks and beverages are available on all vessels.
