I told one of my co-workers about the picture my cousin sent me and he found this article about Ferries in the 1950’s that may have solved the mystery.
The 8th paragraph from the bottom states:
“Another “walking beam” vessel, the SACRAMENTO, was also a 1922 rebuild, but her hull and machinery were launched in 1877 as the NEWARK. In 1954 the SACRAMENTO was retired, stripped and towed south to Redondo Beach for use as a public fishing pier for a good stretch of years. Today she sits on the bottom of the ocean, splattered into a million pieces.“
The paragraph before that one states the following:
“Attracting as much attention was the legendary sidewheeler EUREKA. Following the close of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad’s railferry terminal in Sausalito on February 28, 1941, she was transferred to the Oakland run. Her superstructure was a 1922 rebuild but her hull and machinery dated back to 1890 when launched as the UKIAH. Her demise came just-like-that. At midnight in early 1957, after picking up “Shasta Daylight” arrivals at the Mole, the EUREKA’S crank pin snapped enroute to the City. Repairs could have been minimal, but that was beside the point. The front office retired her, sentiment notwithstanding, and donated her to the Hyde Street Pier.”
“Shasta Daylight arrivals” refers to the SHASTA DAYLIGHT TRAIN owned by Southern Pacific Railroad. I previously wrote about this train because my great-grandfather, William Leon Whitley, Jr., was the Head Chef on that train for nearly 50 years.