Site of Ship Niantic

The emigrant ship <i>Niantic</i> stood on this spot in the early days "when the water came up to Montgomery Street." Converted to other uses, it was covered with a shingle roof with offices and stores on the deck, at the level which was constructed a wide balcony surmounted by a verandah. The hull was divided into warehouses, entered into by doorways on the sides.<br><br> The fire of May 3, 1851, destroyed all but the submerged hulk which was later utilized as the foundation for the Niantic Hotel, a famous hostelry which stood until 1872.<br><br> This tablet was placed by the Historic Landmarks Committee of the Sons of the Golden West, Sept. 19, 1919.