Fields Landing Humboldt Count Steamship Chas. Nelson Destroyed By Fire 1913 Real Photo Postcard
The steam schooner *Charles Nelson*, a vessel vital to the Pacific Coast's lumber trade, was tragically destroyed by fire on April 23, 1913. This catastrophic event occurred at Fields Landing, a prominent port on Humboldt Bay, California. The *Charles Nelson* was one of many steam-powered vessels that transported timber and general cargo along the rugged California coastline during the early 20th century, playing a crucial role in the region's economy.
Fields Landing served as a key hub for the logging industry in Northern California, connecting the redwood forests with burgeoning markets to the south. Maritime incidents like the destruction of the *Charles Nelson* were not uncommon for steamships, particularly those with wooden hulls and carrying flammable cargo, highlighting the inherent dangers of early 20th-century coastal shipping and the significant economic impact of such losses on local communities and industries.
Fields Landing served as a key hub for the logging industry in Northern California, connecting the redwood forests with burgeoning markets to the south. Maritime incidents like the destruction of the *Charles Nelson* were not uncommon for steamships, particularly those with wooden hulls and carrying flammable cargo, highlighting the inherent dangers of early 20th-century coastal shipping and the significant economic impact of such losses on local communities and industries.
