Gerlach wave motor at the end of the Capitola wharf, 1895. Image: adapted from original from the Capitola Historical Museum. — The Gerlach Wave Motor at the end of the Capitola Wharf, 1895. Image: Adapted from the original from the Capitola Historical Museum

Around the turn of the last century, many forward-thinking folks in California tried to figure out how to harness power from the ocean. Several wave and tidal energy projects were conducted to attempt to generate electricity from ocean tides. Some were in San Francisco near the Cliff House, and one was at the end of the Capitola Wharf.

The Capitola wharf, 1895. Photo: Capitola Historical Museum — The Capitola Wharf, 1895. Photo: Capitola Historical Museum

A Santa Cruz area businessman, F. A. Hihn, wanted a source of electricity for the Capitola resort, so he hired Emil Gerlach to make it so. Gerlach constructed a huge paddle board supported by two 22-foot iron towers. The 30-ton contraption was so big and heavy that the ocean swells could barely budge it, so no electricity was ever generated. Gerlach was in good company though, because none of the other projects ever generated electricity either. It was simply an idea ahead of its time.

Capitola wharf, May 2011. Photo: David Sawyer CC BY-SA 2.0 — You can see where the wave motor would be if it were at the end of the present-day Capitola Wharf. Photo: David Sawyer CC BY-SA 2.0

However, the one successful wave energy venture from the era was nearby. In Santa Cruz, the Armstrong brother’s Wave Motor was designed to merely pump water. For 12 years, it reliably pumped ocean water up 120 feet into a large storage tank on a high platform for the benefit of the City of Santa Cruz.

Old postcard showing the Armstrong brother's Wave Motor circa 1906. Photo: Courtesy of Frank Perry — Old postcard showing the Armstrong brother’s wave motor circa 1906. Photo: Courtesy of Frank Perry

For more photos and information about the Gerlach Wave Motor, as well as the Capitola Wharf, visit the Capitola Historical Museum at 410 Capitola Avenue, next to City Hall. The museum is open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, noon – 4:00 pm. Or call 831.464.0322 for an appointment with the curator.

Take the Self-Guided Mobile Tour

This piece is part of the Capitola Art and Historic Sites Tour made possible by the Capitola Art and Cultural Commission. Download the free app with many tours of the Santa Cruz area and beyond.