THE ROMANCE OF MONTEREY
Father Serra called Portola’s attention to this oak tree as a certain and easily found landmark of Vizcaino’s “noble harbor.” On his second expedition Portola found the oak tree described in Father Ascension’s diary, together with other landmarks described by Vizcaino.
Undisturbed, but watched with loving eyes and revered because of its historic association, the Vizcaino Oak grew and thrived until 1903, when as a result of some engineering and construction work, it became partially submerged. Father Raymond M. Mestres, a man of scholarly attainments, deeply interested in California history, had become the parish priest at Monterey in 1892, and at once became the watchful guardian of the Vizcaino Oak. He protested against its partial submergence, but was assured that no harm would result therefrom. The result, unfortunately, did not measure up to the assurance. The oak sickened and died.
Father Mestres continued tenderly and watchfully to guard the now leafless monarch, but one day in 1905 he was surprised and distressed to find that the historic oak had vanished. Upon inquiry he learned that some workmen who were preparing the ground for the erection of the Serra monument had found the tree in their way, and without knowledge of its sentimental and historic value, had uprooted it and, after considerable effort, had managed to get it into the bay. Father Mestres at once made inquiry among the fishermen whether any of them had seen the tree in the water. He was told that it had been seen floating a few miles from shore, where it was
