Captain Shorey, Master
Mariner
![](../images/ohline.gif)
A
ship's captain and important early leader of Oakland's African American
community, William T. Shorey was born in 1859 in Barbados. After
studying navigation in Boston, he embarked on a three-year voyage aboard
a whaling ship where he was promoted to first officer.
Captain Shorey spent most of his career aboard ships in the Pacific
whaling fleet, much of it in Alaskan waters. During a distinguished life
at sea, he earned the coveted "Masters License," which permitted him to
pilot ships of any size, anywhere in the world.
Captain Shorey settled on the waterfront in West Oakland in the 1880s.
Shorey St. in Oakland was named for the Captain. Currently, an effort is
being made to preserve his house which was in the path of the new
Cypress Freeway. Contact the Oakland Heritage Alliance for further
information.
Deborah Cooper
Oakland Museum of California
"Walk Along the Water"
© Oakland Museum of California, used with permission.
![](../images/ohline.gif)
Update: Captain Shorey's house has been restored and is in
use for leased housing. Bill Threlfall, Waterfront Action, 2009
Explore this
Topic:
Captain Shorey short biography - African-American Registry
2009 photograph of restored Shorey House
- Waterfront Action
back to history map