Stopping the Slickens: The Rise and Fall of Hydraulic Mining in California

The Conquest of California: Consummation (2/2)

EPISODE 4:  THE CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA:  CONSUMMATION (2/2) SUMMARY:  The Navy sailed into Monterey harbor and raised the Stars and Stripes on July 7, 1846, formally claiming California for the United States and absorbing the rebellious Bear Flaggers.  U.S. forces quickly subdued the rest of northern California, and then southern California, without firing a shot.  But provoked by heavy-handed U.S. rule, Californios drove American troops out of the south.  The U.S. responded with a campaign of re-conquest, culminating with the Capitulation of Cahuenga, with Californio troops agreeing to end their armed resistance.  Episode 2 of 2. TIME AND PLACE:  July 1846 – January 1847. SOURCES:  See website. CONTACT:  Visit kevinsoccaisonalpods.com, email kevin@kevinsoccasionalpods.com [kevin@kevinsoccasionalpods.com] or kevinsoccasionalpods@gmail.com [kevinsoccasionalpods@gmail.com], or try @kevinspods.bsky.social.

The Conquest of California: Anticipation (1/2)

SUMMARY:  Spain and Mexico each in turn “controlled” the territory of Alta California, but struggled to govern and defend the remote region.  The U.S. declared war on Mexico in May 1846, with one goal being the take-over of long-coveted Alta California.  American immigrants had begun arriving in relative droves in the 1840’s, provoking tensions with Californios and Mexican authorities, which in June 1846 led to the Bear Flag Revolt and assertions of independence.  These events set the stage for the Conquest of California, the U.S. assumptions of control of the region during its war with Mexico.  Episode 1 of 2. TIME AND PLACE:  1769 – July 1846. SOURCES:  See website. CONTACT:  Visit kevinsoccaisonalpods.com, email kevin@kevinsoccasionalpods.com [kevin@kevinsoccasionalpods.com] or kevinsoccasionalpods@gmail.com [kevinsoccasionalpods@gmail.com], or try @kevinspods.bsky.social.

Stopping the Slickens: The Rise and Fall of Hydraulic Mining in California

SUMMARY:  As gold disappeared from Sierra streams during the California Gold Rush, miners turned to more involved technologies to extract the gold still hidden in the hills.  One method – new and unique to California – was hydraulic mining, the washing away of entire hillsides to free traces of gold and the flushing of the resulting waste into the state’s streams and rivers.  This episode describes the rise of “hydraulicking,” its fall – triggered by the famous Sawyer Decision – and its legacy. TIME AND PLACE:  Mainly 1848-1884, with some action in following decades. SOURCES:  See website. CONTACT:  Visit kevinsoccaisonalpods.com, email kevin@kevinsoccasionalpods.com [kevin@kevinsoccasionalpods.com] or kevinsoccasionalpods@gmail.com [kevinsoccasionalpods@gmail.com], or try @kevinspods.bsky.social.

The Quest for Nova Albion, Francis Drake's West Coast Landfall

SUMMARY:  After scouting the West Coast of North America in 1579, Francis Drake desperately needed to find a sheltered bay to repair the Golden Hind before he started across the Pacific Ocean back to England.  Though the fact of his landfall on the West Coast – often cited as Nova Albion – is well established, the exact location of his landing is not so clearly documented.  Listen for a review of current research and conflicting opinions, and a description of artifacts that may – or may not – point to Nova Albion.  TIME AND PLACE:  June-July 1579, West Coast of North America  SOURCES:  See website (below).  CONTACT:  Visit kevinsoccasionalpods.com, or email kevin@kevinsoccasionalpods.com.