EFC Design 1097 (Long Beach type): Notes & Illustrations
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Notes: In 1907, John F. Craig moved from Toledo, Ohio, where he and his father had just sold their family shipyard to Long Beach, Cal., where he established a new Craig Shipbuilding Co. On 1 January 1916 he sold this yard to a new organization, the California Shipbuilding Co., along with its contracts for two submarines and a lighthouse tender (Yard nos. 121-123). In the spring of 1917 Craig realized that the market for steel cargo vessels was exceedingly favorable and secured a piece of land directly adjoining the plant of the California Shipbuilding Co. That firm soon began experiencing difficulties so Craig bought it back and began operating both yards together. In August 1917 the Craig Shipbuilding Co. was reported to be building two small steamers for Swayne & Hoyt, which became Silverado and Eldorado (Yard nos. 124-125). It was also then understood that the yard would build two steamers for the S.S.B. On 20 August 1917 the California Shipbuilding Co. received a contract from the EFC for three 6000 dwt cargo ships (Design 1021, EFC 423-425, Yard nos. 127-129). At about the same time, but after the requisitioning of all ships then on the books took effect on 3 August 1917, the yard added a third 3200-ton "steel steam schooner" like Eldorado and Silverado to its order book as Yard no. 126. In December 1917 Craig formed the Long Beach Shipbuilding Co. which took over both the new Craig Shipbuilding Co. and the California Shipbuilding Co. By late 1918 the combined yards had a 2700-foot water frontage along the south side of Channel 3 in Long Beach harbor with side launching ways and three berths permitting the construction of four and a half 425-foot hulls at the same time. On 10 July 1918 the Long Beach Shipbuilding Co. received a contract for eight 8800 dwt ships (EFC 2075-82, Design 1019, Yard nos. 130-137) and on 23 August 1918 it received an order for four more 8800 dwt ships (EFC 2511-14, Design 1019). These last four were suspended on 25 January 1919 and cancelled on 10 September 1919. Also on 23 August 1918 the yard finally received a contract for the sister to Eldorado and Silverado that it had added to its order book in August 1917, which was laid down three days later and became Wallingford (EFC Hull 2515). At this time the design of the three ships became EFC Design 1097. In 1918 the Shipping Board awarded several small steamers for operation to the Matson Navigation Co. to assure the proper movement of the Hawaiian sugar crop, and all three of these ships were eventually assigned to Matson upon completion. Eldorado was later reconveyed to Swayne & Hoyt. (Special source: Pacific Marine Review, 1917-1920.) Requisitioned Sisters: On 3 August 1917 the Shipping Board requisitioned two small steel cargo ships, Silverado and Eldorado (Yard nos. 124 and 125), that the Craig Shipbuilding Co. of Long Beach, Calif., was building for American owners. They are covered in the Requisitioned Ships portion of the McKellar list. Specifications: (S.S. Wallingford, EFC Hull 2515): Steel Cargo. Deadweight tons: 3200 designed, 3390 actual. Dimensions: 244' length pp x 42' beam mld. x 26' depth mld., 20.9' draft loaded. Propulsion: 1 screw, 1 triple expansion engine, 2 Babcock & Wilcox water tube boilers, 1400 IHP, 8.5 avg. kts. Configuration: engine aft, 2 decks, 3 holds, 3 hatches. |
| S.S. Wallingford (Design 1097, EFC Hull 2515), a "steel steam schooner" alongside at the yard of her builder, the Long Beach S.B. Co., Long Beach, Cal., around the time of her completion in March 1919. (NARA: RG-32-S) (Click photo to enlarge) |
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S.S. Silverado (Design 1097, Yard no. 124) On her side launching ways on 9 February 1918 two days before she was launched. Photo No. 165-WW-499A-130 Source: NARA: RG-165-WW |
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S.S. Silverado (Design 1097, Yard no. 124) Fitting out afloat on 24 April 1918 next to two ships under construction. All three of the Ozaukee class were on the ways at this time. Photo No. 165-WW-493J-001 Source: NARA: RG-165-WW |
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S.S. Silverado (Design 1097, Yard no. 124) Shown in a view on the back of the Navy inspection data (SP/ID) card for Silverado. She was inspected on 29 April 1918. Photo No. None Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command |
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S.S. Eldorado (Design 1097, Yard no. 125) Shown on 24 June 1918, about a month before her completion. Note that compared to Silverado her after mast is further forward and the low amidships deckhouse is missing. Photo No. None Source: NARA: RG-32-S |
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S.S. Silverado (Design 1097, Yard no. 125) Shown in a view on the back of the Navy inspection data (SP/ID) card for Eldorado, which was inspected on 15 July 1918. The position of the after mast and presence of an amidships deckhouse indicate that this is Silverado. Photo No. None Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command |
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S.S. Wallingford (Design 1097, EFC Hull 2515) On the ways on 23 December 1918 with a steam shipyard crane in the foreground. She is configured like Eldorado. Photo No. None Source: NARA: RG-32-S |
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C.S. Silverado Requisitioned by the Army Signal Corps in 1943 to replace its lost cable ship (C.S.) Dellwood (see EFC Design 1043) in maintaining the Alaska cable network. Fitted with cable gear with three 5ft bow sheaves originally intended for C.S. Col. William A. Glassford (see USS Nashawena, YAG 35). Active from August 1943, joined by Glassford in mid-1944, served until BU 1949. Photo No. None Source: E. R. Haigh, Cableships and Submarine Cables, London, 1968, page 291. |
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