ALCATRAZ HISTORY - Before The Prison 1775 -1853
©2002 RJ BestALCATRAZ HISTORY
BEFORE THE PRISON
Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala is credited with the discovery
of the now-famous island. Back in 1775, he dubbed it Alcatraces,
which means "pelican" or "strange bird" in Spanish.
One can only imagine that he witnessed these kinds of birds in abundance
over the ominous rock. Over time, the name was anglicized into "Alcatraz."
No government records indicate the island's occupation by Spaniards
during the 1775-1810 period. After the short-lived Bear Revolt in
1846, Mexico ceded the island to the United States in 1848. The
island sat untouched for 75 more years after its discovery, until
an 1850 presidential order reserved U.S. military's right to use it.
What better place to build a citadel or fortress? With the onset
of the California Gold Rush and rich San Francisco's exposure to
attack by sea, protection of the vulnerable San Francisco bay area
was a primary concern to the military during this time. As word
spread around the world of California's wealth, seizure of its land
and natural resources by other countries was no small threat.
In 1853, U.S. Army engineers began construction on a military fortress.
The west's first operational lighthouse was built on Alcatraz during
this time, too. So, with existing Fort Point and Lime Point, Alcatraz
formed a "triangle of defense" against would-be invaders.
Alcatraz became the most heavily fortified military site on the
west coast. Its Citadel was a bastion of military strength at the
time. More than 100 long-range cannons and four enormous 36,000-pound,
15-inch Rodman guns (capable of sinking ships up to three miles
away) were installed on the island. The guns of Alcatraz could fire
6,949 pounds of iron shot in one barrage.
©2002 B. HuberWhat distinguished this Citadel from others, though, was its design
to be defended solely by rifle fire--it did not have a single cannon
embrasure. Though cannons were in abundance on the island itself,
they were not installed to fire from the Citadel.
A dry moat (which the army called a "ditch" and is the
only part of the Citadel that survives today) encircled the formidable
Citadel. Rifle embrasures dotted the entire circumference of the
basement, or dry moat. The second level (or first story –
ground level) accessed the drawbridges that extended across the
dry moat and had narrow windows that could double as rifle embrasures.
Slightly wider windows that could also be used as rifle embrasures
were on the third floor. All windows were equipped with iron shutters
that could be closed against hostile fire. The parapet on the roof
provided a fourth and final level of protection – infantry
could fire at the enemy from it.
Yet, none of the impressive weaponry on Alcatraz was ever called
upon for use in defensive battle. Nevertheless, Alcatraz retained
its distinction as a powerful military base for a few decades. As
modern weaponry was adopted, the armaments of the island became
obsolete.
Copyright TourCorp Inc. 2003-08 - All Rights Reserved
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Popular Alcatraz Combination Tours
We offer One and
Two day combination tour packages for Alcatraz.
Beware Alcatraz Ticket Tricks and Huge Overcharges.
Don't be fooled or overcharged by other Alcatraz "Official" Ticket web sites.
These overpriced web sites may charge you as much as $10.00 per ticket "service
charge" or $ 3.95 per order "service fee" or both.
We do not mark up Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour prices.
We also do not advertise $7.00-8.00 child ticket prices for a 1 Hour Bay Cruise
that goes around Alcatraz (not to Alcatraz) to lure you into our web site.
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We offer the published prices for Ferry and Audio Tour Tickets to Alcatraz.
All of our Alcatraz tickets are combined with a 2nd tour also at published prices.
We make a commission on selling you the 2nd tour. We don't think you should
pay as much as $13.95 extra and not get anything but a Alcatraz Ferry ticket and a
"service charge."
Thanks for visiting San Francisco and purchasing tickets from us.
Notice: Alcatraz Ferry departs from Pier 33.
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Our great Combo Tours do include the Ferry Ride to Alcatraz and the Audio
Tour of the prison cell house. Reserve online today before you arrive
in the city. Remember: The ferry tickets to Alcatraz sell out weeks
in advance. There are a limited amount of tickets per day. Make sure
you get to see "The Rock" on your trip to San
Francisco. We DO NOT sell individual Alcatraz ferry tickets.
Former federal prison Alcatraz has become a must see activity for
visitors to the Bay Area.
Use our one stop tour shopping to plan your vacation! You will not be
charged a markup on the Alcatraz Tickets PLUS eliminate Wharf parking fees with a
hotel pick up for most of our motor coach tours. Plan your entire day here.
BOOK EARLY! Alcatraz tours are often sold out over a week in advance!
Tour includes ferry cruise to the infamous and notorious former federal prison.
Also included is an Award-winning audio headset tour in the prison Cell House.
No one can tell the Alcatraz tale like the men who actually lived it.
The award-winning Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour brings history alive
through the actual voices of the correctional officers and inmates
who lived on the island during the infamous Federal Penitentiary era.
Hear both sides of life in the island prison including such famous events as escape attempts,
"The Battle of '46", food riots, and surviving solitary confinement.
The new Cellhouse Audio Tour is an expanded version of the original award-winning tour
and includes new stories, new narrators, and explores new areas of the Cellhouse.
The tour is available in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese Dutch and Mandarin.
Alcatraz is one of San Francisco's most popular visitor attractions and its
tours frequently sell out a week or more in advance. Tickets are rarely
available at the Box Office for same-day sailings. The Alcatraz Ferry
departs daily from Pier 33 Fisherman's Wharf in San
Francisco. "TourCorp" is Tour & Sightseeing Company and
we only offer Alcatraz Ferry Tickets as a planning convenience for our
clients. We do not mark up or add any service fees to the
cost of the Alcatraz Tickets. Due to high demand and limited tickets
for the Alcatraz ferry/audio tour- both your Sightseeing Tour and Ferry
reservations are pending until you receive a final confirmation e-mail from us.
Click here for more Frequently Asked Questions
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ALCATRAZ TICKET AVAILABILITY:
Remember: Reserve weekend Alcatraz tickets at least 10-14 days in advance. Maximum 8 tickets per order.
BOOK ALCATRAZ EARLY TO GET BEST DEPARTURE TIMES
Very limited tickets are available for August and September weekends. All Summer weekend cruises will sell out very early. Book Now to get best departure times!
Alcatraz Cruises depart from PIER 33.
Please indicate on the comments section of the order form if you want your Alcatraz tickets on a later or earlier day or a specific time.
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| 1-Day Combo Boat Cruise Packages |
Golden Gate Bay Cruise plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
BAY CRUISE: The one hour, headset narrated San Francisco Bay Cruise takes you out to the Golden Gate Bridge from Fisherman's Wharf. En route you will pass Fort Mason, the Marina District and the Presidio National Park. Cruise travels under the Golden Gate Bridge past Angel Island and around Alcatraz. Narrated in 8 languages.
Duration: Combo Tour - 1 hour Bay Cruise
Alcatraz - 2-3 hours on same day.
Departure Dates & Times: Golden Gate Bay Cruise Departures start at 10:00 AM
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability.
Departs from: Red and White Fleet Bay Cruise: Pier 43 1/2 Alcatraz Ferry: Pier 33
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62+) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$16.00 - $22.00 (USD)
 Best Seller |
California Sunset Cruise plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
SUNSET CRUISE: The California Sunset Cruise departs from Fisherman's Wharf. View the Marina, Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Bay Bridge and Downtown San Francisco Skyline lit up with splendor. Enjoy amazing sunsets and appetizers aboard this relaxed 2 hour cruise.
Duration: Combo Tour - 2 Hour Sunset Cruise
Alcatraz 2-3 Hours on same day
Departure Dates & Times: Sunset Cruise: April through October
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Evenings
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability.
Departs from: Red and White Fleet Sunset Cruise: Pier 43 1/2 Alcatraz Ferry: Pier 33
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62+) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$34.00 - $48.00 (USD)
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| Full Day Sightseeing Tour Combo Packages |
San Francisco Ultimate City Tour - 1st reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
CITY TOUR: Your three hour City Tour tour will include |
