On today’s show we will be recognizing the Bicentennial of Independence of Peru, and the colorful history of Peruvians influences in North America with our special guest the Consul General of Peru in San Francisco, Hernando Torres-Fernandez.
Hernando shared the 170 years of shared history with the Bay Area – Bodega Bay – Bodega Bay was first charted in 1775 by the Spanish Peruvian explorer of the Spanish Navy Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, but the bay that was originally named for him was not present day Bodega, but Tomales Bay.
Bodega y Quadra’s ship, the Sonora, anchored in the lee of Tomales Point on October 3, 1775, departing the next day. Bodega y Quadra named Tomales Bay Puerto de la Bodega. “There is no evidence in the journal or on the charts that Bodega y Quadra ever saw the entrance to [present day] Bodega Harbor or knew of the lagoon to the north”.[7] Bodega y Quadra planned to return, but was not able to. Later, as commandant of the naval base at San Blas, New Spain, Bodega y Quadra sent other expeditions to Bodega Bay with the intention of establishing a colony and mission there. It was decided, however, that the location was not ideal.
Today’s show reflects on the recent USPS Postal Cancellation Ceremony on Treasure Island February 18th. Specifically the Special Postal Building Bridges Cancellation held in recognition of 1930 Golden Gate International Exposition – a year long celebration of the Pacific Rim countries.
San Francisco Postmaster Abraham Cooper inked the first cancellations and presented cachets with commemorative photos and presented the them to the Treasure Island Museum, the General Consul of Peru in San Francisco Hernando Torres-Fernandez, Pacific Inter-Club Yachting Association Commodore Patti Mangan and Treasure Island Yacht Club.
The Peruvian Navy Tall Ship BAP Unión was recognized as part of the USPS Building Bridges Special Postal Cancellation Ceremony on Feb 18, 2021. It is the largest tall ship in the world. For more information about the ceremony see: http://sanfrancisco.comteams.com
