Dring, Harry

Historical Information

Mr. Harry (Harrison) Joseph Dring was an important figure in maritime preservation, eventually becoming responsible for the largest fleet of historic ships in the world at the National Maritime Museum in San Francisco.

Harry was a foremast hand on the final voyage of the last American square-rigger, the bark Kaiulani . She left San Francisco in September, 1941, loaded lumber at Aberdeen, Washington, and sailed around Cape Horn to Durban, South Africa. When the voyage ended in 1942 at Sydney, Australia, Harry was second mate. He returned to America where in 1943 he married a girl he had met in Aberdeen, Matilda Tesia, and settled in that city after wartime service in the merchant marine.

His former shipmate on the Kaiulani, Karl Kortum, brought him to the Maritime Museum in 1954 to assist in the restoration of the sailing ship Balclutha . He subsequently served as the ship's manager and became the supervisor of restoration for the State of California's newly-acquired fleet of historic ships: schooner C.A. Thayer, steam schooner Wapama, scow schooner Alma, and ferry Eureka . Kortum recalls that Harry made a "priceless contribution" to the Museum, "he was full of energy, full of resourcefulness."

Harry remained in charge of the vessels after they were placed at Hyde Street Pier. When the fleet was acquired by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1977, Harry was appointed as the first Conservator of Ships for the National Park Service. "He knew as much as any man alive about preserving ships, he was a walking encyclopedia of the sea," according to William G. Thomas, park superintendent and long-time friend. "He was a man without pretense. He was known and liked from one end of the waterfront to the other. His life was saving ships."

His battles with bureaucracy were legendary. As a result of his bluff outspokenness in defense of the historic vessels, he became known as "Give 'em hell Harry." Said the San Francisco Chronicle: "He always thought of himself as a sailor above all, refused to wear neckties, scorned the praise of politicians, however well-meant, and never used his real first name--which was Harrison."

He died in Vallejo, California on January 20, 1989.

Reprinted from Sealetter, Fall/Winter 1988/89, page 36.

From the guide to the Harry Dring papers, 1890-1986, (San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (Calif.))