S.S. Californian, a 5658 gross ton freighter, was built
in 1900 at San Francisco, California. Operated commercially by
the American Hawaiian Steamship Company, she was acquired by the
Navy in mid-May 1918 and placed in commission as USS Californian
(with no identification number assigned). Late in that month the
ship left the U.S. to take fuel and supplies to American forces
fighting in France. On 22 June, while in the Bay of Biscay, USS
Californian struck a mine and sank, though all of her crew
were rescued.
Photo #: NH 75276
S.S. Californian (American Freighter, 1900)
In the lift drydock at the Union Iron Works shipyard, San Francisco,
California, during the final stages of her construction, 18 June
1900.
This ship served as USS Californian in 1918.
Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1972. Copied from
the Union Iron Works Scrapbook, Vol. II, page 144.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 325 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 75274
S.S. Californian (American Freighter, 1900)
Underway in San Francisco Bay, California, during builder's trials
in 1900. She was constructed by the Union Iron Works, San Francisco.
This ship served as USS Californian in 1918.
Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1972. Copied from
the Union Iron Works Scrapbook, Vol. II, page 144.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 75KB; 900 x 380 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 75275
S.S. Californian (American Freighter, 1900)
Underway in San Francisco Bay, California, during builder's trials
in 1900. She was constructed by the Union Iron Works, San Francisco.
This ship served as USS Californian in 1918.
Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1972. Copied from
the Union Iron Works Scrapbook, Vol. II, page 144.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 295 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 75110
Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California
Panoramic view of shipways and outfitting area, 1900.
USS Wisconsin (Battleship # 9) is fitting out at left.
Ships on the ways are (from left to right):
USS Paul Jones (Destroyer # 10);
USS Perry (Destroyer # 11);
USS Wyoming (Monitor # 10);
USS Ohio (Battleship # 12); and the
S.S. Californian.
Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1971. The original
print is in the Union Iron Works scrapbook, Volume II, page 157.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 118KB; 1200 x 410
pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99785
USS Californian (1918-1918)
Sinking in the Bay of Biscay on 22 June 1918, after hitting a
mine.
Collection of Paul F. Wangerin, 1975.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 485 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99784
USS Californian (1918-1918)
Sinking in the Bay of Biscay on 22 June 1918, after hitting a
mine. A boat is alongside, below Californian's bridge,
probably taking off her crew.
Collection of Paul F. Wangerin, 1975.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 490 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 61072
USS Californian (1918-1918)
Sinking in the Bay of Biscay after striking a mine, 22 June 1918.
Photographed from USS Corsair (SP-159).
Collection of Paul F. Wangerin, 1975.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 460 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99783
USS Californian (1918-1918)
Sinking in the Bay of Biscay on 22 June 1918, after hitting a
mine.
Photographed from USS Corsair (SP-159).
Collection of Paul F. Wangerin, 1975.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99786
USS Californian (1918-1918)
Sinking in the Bay of Biscay on 22 June 1918, after hitting a
mine.
Photographed from USS Corsair (SP-159).
Collection of Paul F. Wangerin, 1975.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 87KB; 460 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99903
USS Californian (1918-1918)
One of the ship's lifeboats comes alongside USS Corsair
(SP-159), as Californian was being abandoned in the Bay
of Biscay on 22 June 1918. She sank after hitting a mine.
The original print bears the hand-written note: "S.S. Californian
last boat."
Collection of Paul F. Wangerin, 1975.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 71KB; 455 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99787
USS Corsair (SP-159)
Survivors of USS Californian on Corsair's quarterdeck,
22 June 1918, after being rescued from their sinking ship.
Note the cork life vests worn by many of these men.
Collection of Paul F. Wangerin, 1975.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 101KB; 740 x 480 pixels |
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