Today, I want to share the story of the Ohioan. This cargo ship sailed for the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company. Its tale includes naval service in World War I and a dramatic ending near San Francisco.
The Ohioan was one of eight sister ships. They were built for inter-coastal cargo service via the Panama Canal. The Maryland Steel Company built the Ohioan. American-Hawaiian ordered the ships in May 1912. The Ohioan’s construction cost was capped at $640,000. The final cost, including financing, was nearly $730,000. She had a deadweight tonnage of 9,920. Her cargo holds could store 438,154 cubic feet. The Ohioan could carry perishable goods. She transported fresh produce from Southern California to the East Coast. A single steam engine powered the ship. It drove a single screw propeller. The Ohioan reached a speed of 12 knots.
When the Ohioan began service, American-Hawaiian shipped cargo from East Coast ports. The route went through the Straits of Magellan to West Coast ports and Hawaii. Eastbound shipments carried sugar and pineapple from Hawaii. Westbound cargoes were more general. After the Panama Canal opened in August 1914, ships used that route instead.
World War I increased demand for defense-related shipping. American-Hawaiian stopped its sugar service. The Ohioan’s specific activities are not entirely known. She may have been chartered for transatlantic service. Alternatively, she could have served South America. There, she delivered coal, gasoline, and steel. The Ohioan received coffee, nitrates, cocoa, rubber, and manganese ore in return.
The United States declared war on Germany in April 1917. The U.S. Navy acquired the Ohioan on August 5, 1918. She was commissioned into the Naval Overseas Transportation Service. The Ohioan sailed for Saint-Nazaire, France after a refit. She arrived there on August 29. The Ohioan spent the next month between Saint-Nazaire and Brest. She sailed for New York on October 1. The ship was fitted with horse stalls there. She then loaded 60 officers and men. On November 1, the Ohioan set sail for La Pallice with equestrian and general cargo.
The Armistice was signed on November 11. Bringing American soldiers home became a priority. The Ohioan was selected to become a troop transport. She transferred to the Cruiser and Transport Force. The Ohioan was converted from a cargo and animal ship. Berths were installed. Cooking and toilet facilities were expanded.
In March, the Ohioan returned 1,627 men to New York. These men primarily came from the 348th Infantry Regiment. Another 1,596 officers and men arrived on April 16. Among them was Cher Ami. Cher Ami was the only pigeon from the Lost Battalion that delivered a message.
On May 22, the Ohioan docked at New York. A portion of the 328th Infantry Regiment was on board. Sergeant Alvin C. York was among them. York had captured 132 German officers and men. He held a press conference on board after docking. The Ohioan completed her final trooping voyage on September 16, 1919. She had carried home 8,383 men. The USS Ohioan was decommissioned on October 6, 1919. She was returned to American-Hawaiian.
The Ohioan resumed cargo service. On October 8, 1936, the ship ran aground near Seal Rock. This was just outside San Francisco Bay. Sailing in dense fog, the ship strayed too close to shore. The grounding sent sparks into the night sky. The ship was stuck on the rocks at the base of a 250-foot cliff.
Spectators gathered to watch the scene. Coast Guardsmen attached lines to the ship. A breeches buoy was set up to remove the harbor pilot. However, the crew remained, hoping the high tide would free the ship. As the crowds grew, policemen were called to keep order.
The next day, seas battered the ship. Coast Guard boats took 31 men from the ship. American-Hawaiian hired a salvage firm. Their goal was to retrieve the 1,500-long-ton cargo. This cargo included explosives and oil. Heavy-duty electric pumps were lowered to the ship. Plans were made to connect them to San Francisco’s electric system. The goal was to pump out the ship.
The crowds of onlookers continued to grow. The mayor of San Francisco, Angelo J. Rossi, toured the ship on October 19. On October 31, American-Hawaiian requested bids. They wanted to sell the ship and cargo “as and where she now lies”. E. J. Mitchell won. He secured the rights for $2,800.
In March 1937, the hulk caught fire. A watchman tried to burn meat in a refrigerator. The flames died out before reaching the explosives. A storm in December caused the Ohioan to break in two. By 1939, only remnants were visible.
The Ohioan’s story is a blend of service, accident, and spectacle. It remains a notable event in San Francisco’s maritime history.