FROLIC (brig)
Also known as: Shipwreck Site and Remains, FROLIC
Why it's listed
Beneath 15 to 25 feet of water in a small cove near Caspar, on the Mendocino coast, lie the remains of the brig Frolic. Built in Baltimore in 1844 by W. & G. Gardner, she served as an opium clipper for Russell and Company, running between Bombay and Chinese ports. In 1850 she was sent to California to take advantage of Gold Rush demand and was wrecked on July 26 while bound for San Francisco with Chinese trade goods. The site is marked by a mound of pig iron ballast, three anchors, a small cannon and scattered ceramics. The nomination describes her as the only known surviving American-built opium clipper available for study. Local Mitom Pomo people salvaged parts of her cargo, and news of the wreck drew Jerome B. Ford up the coast in 1851, leading to the first lumber mill and town at Big River, now Mendocino. Archaeologists see strong potential for learning about ship construction, shipboard life and Gold Rush trade.
Significance in brief: The wreck is argued to be of national significance for its link to the California Gold Rush and the American China Trade, including the Opium Trade. It is described as the only known American-built opium clipper available for study and the only known assemblage of Gold Rush China trade goods. Its wreck also led to exploration and settlement of the Mendocino coast, and its cargo was partly salvaged by the local Mitom Pomo.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 91000565, listed May 16, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Pt. Cabrillo, Caspar |
|---|---|
| County | Mendocino County |
| Listed | May 16, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000565 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1844-1850 |
| Architect / builder | W. & G. Gardner (Builders), Baltimore |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Historic - Aboriginal, Commerce, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Transportation, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Wreck site lies in 15 to 25 feet of water within 150 feet of shore; current function listed as vacant, not in use. Sport divers have removed some loose items, but no major subsurface disturbance is reported. |
| Acreage | 3.1 |
| Coordinates | 39.35494, -123.82192 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 91000565.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q85762197
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.