Original envelope read, "Sen. Phelan at Mare Island. 1917." Negative shows the senator holding a small hammer in his hand, posed above a railing presumably of a ship. A large crowd of people are gathered around him, including his wife who is standing to his right and several men in navy uniforms. Everyone is smiling. In the background is the wood frame surrounding a ship being built. James D. Phelan, 1861-1930, was in the family banking business until he became mayor of San Francisco, 1897-1901, where he combated the city's corrupt government. While mayor he encouraged beautification of parks and playgrounds. He became a U.S. Senator, 1915-1921, where he stongly supported the policies of Woodrow Wilson. He was well-known as a patron of the arts.