In the early 1870's William V. Moses & Sons were still working in the yard at the foot Pearl Street where in 1874 they built the 1,462-ton ship Franconia for themselves, her master, Captain William M. Otis of Brunswick, and others Her frame was entirely of white oak and was said to have been one of the best ever put up in Bath; she was rated A-1 for 11 years. The Franconia was constructed by the following master workmen - Benjamin Small, one of the oldest and best of workmen, as master builder; Alden M. Potter, master joiner, though a young man had had much experience and his work only need to be seen to be appreciated; Samuel S. Jordan, blacksmith; John Clifford, fastener; David H. Merritt, caulker; Dain & Wiggin, sparmakers; and Frank A. Plamer, rigger. Baker

Franconia was inbound to the Golden Gate in a thick fog. By dead reckoning she should have been off Point Reyes, when, without warning, the vessel stuck Middle Rock, and land was spied all around. With 15 minutes she found herself "hard and fast on a sandy beach in a bight on the northwest side of the island." The captain [Capt. William M. Otis], his wife, the entire crew of 21, and all their effects were safely landed and kindly cared for by the Government employees of the island of South Farallon, the scene of the wreck. The cause of the wreck was ascribed to the fog whistle, which was not heard either before or after the accident. The nature of Franconia's cargo was unspecified, but it was noted that it was valuable, worth $250,000, and consigned to John Rosenfeld. The reports received in San Francisco indicated that "nothing can be done to save the ship and she has started to break up... and portions of her cargo were going ashore...." The next day the newspaper reported that a good deal of salvage, probably including the ship's sails, rigging, and spars would be secured, and that "the purchaser can, without doubt, if he works to advantage, make a good and quick turn on his investment." Delgado & Haller [2]