The Mesa's Only Shipwreck - Part 2
After the "Pride of the Sea" was wrecked on the shore of the Mesa in 1864, Captain Joseph S. Garcia continued his sailing career for four more years, and retired from the sea in 1868. He bought a vineyard and wrote about the amazing story of his life. In 1874, he settled near Cucamonga. He died at the age of 79 in 1902.
The captain led a fascinating life. In 1823, he was born in the Azores, islands which belong to Portugal. His father was a lawyer, a judge, and the president of a college. Joseph went to sea when he was only 13. The gold rush brought him to California in 1849, as it did hundreds of thousands of others. He was one of the lucky ones — he found gold. Lots of gold. With his money, he bought a share in a ship and eventually formed a partnership with two other men who owned as many as nine vessels.
He bought land in Los Angeles in 1860, and a street — Garcia Street — was named after him. This street, which was near Aliso and Commercial streets, is now under the 101 Freeway.