Strays from Yorkshire/the gold rush

[monstermollie]

Has anyone come across the towns of Rawdon and Yeadon sponsoring boats to USA.

I have a copy of two letters one written 1849 from San Fransisco to a relative in NSW Australia in which there is reference to the Yeadon Pride and the Rawdon Pride sailing to Sanfransisco - seems the boats docked in San Padro 200 miles from San Fransisco and then on to Moneray, Santa Cruz

Seems the menfolk of Yeadon and Rawdon were encouraged to take part in the gold rush.

The other letter was written from Sofala Turon River, November 24 1851 (SydneyNSW) and talks about the diggins, and the gold - but not sure of the boat name. They talk about a lot of gold and of the harsh conditions to get to the gold mines (diggins)

Can anyone shed any light on this

[Mike Hansell]

(Just for Info)
Yeadon and Rawdon are now suburbs of Leeds, West Yorkshire. Rawdon is a small village adjoining Yeadon.

[monstermollie]

Hi Mike

I know the area well - I lived in Yeadon for 20 years but it is the reference to the two boats that is intriguing me

Yeadon Pride and Rawden Pride - where did they sail from - is there a passenger list - why did the two (then) villages sponsor the boats - and ineed did they

I have searched and searched for a reference to the boats, but other than them being mentioned in the letters cant find anything.

[JerryM]

I didn't find any mention of these ships in the San Francisco ship lists from 1849.

http://www.maritimeheritage.org/inport/1849.htm

Today San Pedro Bay contains Los Angeles Harbor and Long Beach Harbor.
It is actually about 400 miles from San Francisco.

Santa Cruz is at the north end of Monterey Bay about 60 miles south of San Francisco.

Regards,

Jerry