“Spanish Discovery of Trinidad Bay, California 1775”
Caleb Whitbeck, San Francisco Bay Area’s premier marine artist, has been drawing and painting ships and the sea for over 40 years. He is a sailor and founding member of the American Society of Marine Artists. His paintings, water colors and prints are in many public and private collections across the country.
Caleb Whitbeck’s 24″ x 36″ enhanced giclee print, “Spanish Discovery of Trindad Bay, California 1775” is on permanent loan to Trinidad Museum. It is currently on view in the museum’s front entry room.
The splended painting depicts the frigate “Santiago” commanded by Don Bruno de Hezeta and the escort topsail schooner, “Sonora” commanded by Don Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra as they sail into Trinidad Bay, with Trinidad Head in the background, on June 9, 1775. The expedition party which remained ten days, took possession of the lands in the name of King Carlos of Spain on June 11. The port was given the name “La Santisima Trinidad” since possession was taken on the feast day of the Holy Trinidad. The Spanish mariners erected a wooden cross on Trinidad Head to commemorate the event.