Alviso Slough Bridge - San Jose, CA. - Railroad Bridges on Waymarking.com

The earliest use of Alviso Slough as a shipping port was recorded by John Henry Dana in his book “Two years before the Mast.” Mission Santa Clara shipped cowhides and wheat during the 1830’s from what was then known as the “Embarcadero” (“landing place”). In 1846, during the Mexican War, 30 armed American troops under the command of Lt. Robert Pinkney disembarked by the Embarcadero to get bread from Mission Santa Clara and to participate in the one engagement in Northern California against Mexican troops, “The Battle of Santa Clara.”

For a time, the slough connecting Alviso to the Bay was known as “Steamboat Slough,” as the water was so low at low tide. It was dredged in 1858 to make it more accessible and today the water passage is known as Alviso Slough.

The 1850’s were Alviso’s heyday as a port when numerous passenger steamboats arrived there. On April 11, 1853, a terrible steamboat disaster occurred when the “Jenny Lind” exploded four miles out of Alviso. Although accounts vary, 21 people were immediately killed, including many prominent San Joseans. Later deaths brought the total to nearly 50, most caused by injuries from escaping steam. One passenger stated: “On starting it was natural to bid adieu to cleanliness and comfort for the time being, and having so fortified myself, I was better able to withstand the intolerable filth of the “Jenny Lind.” She has since blown up, which is about the only thing that could have purified her.”

In 1864, the completion of the railroad from San Jose to San Francisco caused the decline of the commercial use of the port.

Information obtained from the following sources -http://baytrail.abag.ca.gov/vtour/map3/access/BTAlviso/Btalviso1.htm
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Bridge Type: Rigid Frame (Concrete Deck and Supports) Bridge Usage: Railroad Moving Bridge: Not listed

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