At San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, ,maritime history and tradition along with diverse ethinic culture form a distinctive blend that gives it a strength and vitality all its own. The wharf was originally named after its found, Henry Meiggs in 1853. Meig plotted wharf for the lumber trade. The Gold rush quickly evolved the site into the maritime capital of California. The inpoor of miners attracted waves of Chinese and Italian immigrants into the fishing industry. The wharf evolved its layout and location repeatedly due to the continuous construction of seawalls and the evolution of ships. The busyness of the docks is felt today and one can easily imagine the industrial spirit that the wharf once delivered. Fishermen, Lumberjacks, and immigrants flooded the piers with Maritime traffic. The restaurants, railroad, and factories created a constant active feel. The Wharf is America's only floating national historic park and is located at the Hyde Street Pier. This pier has the world's largest collection of historic ships such as the U.S.S Pompanito, a fully restored WWII submarine. Before all of the restaurants were developed, the crabbers would set up cauldrons of boiling water on the piers and sell their catch of the day in a paper cup. The paper cup tradition is still flourishing on the piers today. Just a few steps off the main deck in plain sight is a little known fisherman's wharf landmark: The Fisherman's and Seaman's Memorial Chapel. The chapel, built in 1978 by Alessandro Baccari, is located across from pier 45. The chapel was a tribute to the generations of maritime workers who have risked and dedicated their lives to the sea. Beyond the souvenir shops, there is still a thriving neighborhood and family traditions that can be experienced at the wharf.