Ships navigating into and out of the harbors around San Francisco in the late nineteenth century were typically met by a pilot, a local seaman familiar with the shallow waters around the coastline. After directing the ship through the waters, the pilot would return to his schooner and await the next ship. The pilot schooner Gracie S. traveled waters around San Francisco from the nineteenth to the early twentieth century, tirelessly aiding larger ships in their passage. While working on this painting, artist Chris Blossom said, “I was really in. . .