SSW. L. Steed

SSW. L. Steedin 1918
History
United States
Name	W. L. Steed
Namesake	William L. Steed
Owner	USSB(1918–1920) Pan American Petroleum & Transport Co.(1920–1932) Standard Oil Company of New Jersey(1932–1942)
Operator	Mexican Petroleum Co. (1920–1932) Pan American Foreign Co. (1932–1935) Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (1935–1942)
Builder	Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp.,Quincy
Cost	US$1,060,108.61
Yard number	269
Laid down	9 November 1917
Launched	2 September 1918
Sponsored by	Mrs. Paul H. Harwood
Completed	9 September 1918
Commissioned	18 September 1918
Maiden voyage	28 September 1918
Homeport	Boston(1918–1920) Los Angeles(1920–1932) Wilmington(1932–1942)
Identification	USOfficial Number:216877 Call signLMTG (1918–1933) Call signWSEE (1934–1942)
Fate	Sunk, 2 February 1942
History
United States
Name	USSW. L. Steed
Operator	U.S. Navy(1918–1919)
Acquired	10 August 1918
Commissioned	18 September 1918
Decommissioned	26 March 1919
Fate	Returned to owners 26 March 1919
General characteristics
Type	Design 1045 Tankship
Tonnage	6,182GRT 3,799NRT 9,030DWT
Displacement	13,665tons(normal)
Length	416 ft 8 in (127.00 m)
Beam	56 ft 1 in (17.09 m)
Draft	25 ft 6 in (7.77 m) (mean)
Depth	31 ft 1 in (9.47 m)
Installed power	525Nhp,2,600ihp
Propulsion	Bethlehem Shipbuilding Co.3-cylindertriple expansion
Speed	10+1⁄2knots(12.1 mph; 19.4 km/h)
Armament	During WWI 1 ×6 in (152 mm) naval gun 1 ×3 in (76 mm) naval gun

W. L. Steedwas a steam tanker built in 1917–1918 byBethlehem Shipbuilding CorporationofQuincyforPan American Petroleum and Transport Company,with intention of transporting oil and petroleum products between Mexican and Gulf ports and the Northeast of the United States. The ship was briefly requisitioned by the US Government duringWorld War Ibut returned to commercial service in early 1919. The ship was named after William L. Steed, superintendent of the Mexican Petroleum Company of California.

Design and construction

Early in 1917 Pan American Petroleum & Transport Co. decided to add two more tankers of approximately 9,000 deadweight to its existing fleet, expanding their oil carrying business. A contract for these vessels was awarded to the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. On August 3, 1917, the future tanker along with her sister-shipGeorge W. Barneswere requisitioned by theEmergency Fleet Corporation(EFC) for war purposes. Due to the fact that Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. was awarded US government contract to build several steel tankers designated as Design 1045 ships, it was decided to use the same blueprint to construct these vessels as well. The ship was laid down at the Fore River shipyard in Quincy (yard number 269) on 9 November 1917, and launched on 2 September 1918, with Mrs. Paul H. Harwood, wife of vice-president of Pan American Petroleum & Transport Company, serving as the sponsor.During the launch the vessel struck the ledge on the opposite side of the river and had several plates bent in around her starboard side #4 hold, which, however, did not prevent her speedy completion.The vessel construction was completed on September 9, which set a new record with less than nine days passing between the launching and delivery. After successfully finishing sea trials on September 10, she was placed in a drydock to repair the damage sustained during the launching, and was not officially accepted byUSSBuntil September 18.

The launch of SSW. L. Steedon September 2, 1918.

The ship was built on the Isherwood principle oflongitudinal framingproviding extra strength to the body of the vessel, and had two main decks. The vessel was later equipped with wireless of De Forest type. The tanker had a cargo pump room located amidships, and had cargo tanks constructed throughout the vessel with a total capacity to carry 3,200,000 US gallons of oil.

As built, the ship was 416 feet 8 inches (127.00 m) long (between perpendiculars) and 56 feet 1 inch (17.09 m)abeam,and had a depth of 31 feet 1 inch (9.47 m).W. L. Steedwas originally assessed at 6,450GRTand 4,620NRTand haddeadweightof approximately 9,030.The vessel had a steel hull, and a single 525Nhp(2,600ihp) verticaltriple expansion steam engine,with cylinders of26+1⁄2-inch (67 cm), 44-inch (110 cm) and 74-inch (190 cm) diameter with a 51-inch (130 cm)stroke,that drove a single screw propeller and moved the ship at up to10+1⁄2knots (12.1 mph; 19.4 km/h).The steam for the engine was supplied by three single-ended Scotch boilers fitted for oil fuel.

Operational history

U.S. Navy service, World War I

W. L. Steedwas inspected by the U.S. Navy in the3rd Naval Districtfor possibleWorld War INavy service on 10 August 1918 while the ship was nearing the end of construction. Upon completion and delivery on 18 September 1918 the ship was formally taken over by the Navy, assigned the naval registry Identification Number (Id. No.) 3449 and wascommissionedon the same day as USSW. L. Steedand transferred to theNaval Overseas Transportation Service.

W. L. SteeddepartedBostonon 28 September 1918 for her first trip under Navy control and proceeded first toPhiladelphiato load a cargo of fuel oil. She then continued on toNew Yorkand thenSydneyto finish loading before sailing on 23 October forDevonport.Once under way, the tanker developed problems with her steering gear and had to turn back. After finalizing temporary repairs atSt. John'sW. L. Steedsailed again on 10 November but had to turn around next day when theArmisticewithGermanythat ended the war was signed. After arriving in New York on 13 November, she entered the drydock for repairs that lasted through the end of the month.

The tanker finally managed to deliver her cargo toLe Havrein France in December 1918, however, on her very next trip fromNew Orleansin February 1919 she again ran into problems with her machinery and had to be put into New York on 18 February 1919. Upon completion of repairs the tanker wasdecommissionedon 26 March 1919 and returned to USSB on the same day.

Commercial service

Soon after release from the Navy service,W. L. Steedwas allocated to McAllister Bros. while still remaining under USSB control. The tanker entered oil carrying service between Mexican ports ofTampico,Tuxpanand Puerto Lobos and the US ports in the Northeast in June 1919 and remained in it through early spring 1920.On March 25, 1920, the tanker was sold by USSB to Pan American Petroleum and Transport Co. forUS$749,861.34 and was put under control of its subsidiary, Mexican Petroleum Co.Following the transfer the ship arrived at Galveston on April 9 to undergo repairs and maintenance, but instead was sent back to Tampico to load another cargo of oil to be delivered to New York.

During one of these trips, on May 25, 1920,W. L. Steedwas leaving the Huasteca Dock on thePánuco Riverfully loaded with petroleum products. While maneuvering in the river in an attempt to make a U-turn, the steamer damaged her rudder and as a result came into collision with tank bargePortsmouthbeing towed by steam tugHulverup river for loading. The damage to the barge was limited to her rigging, and the tanker suffered only minor damage to her railings and stern flagpole. After undergoing temporary repairs at Tampico, the vessel sailed to New York where she entered a drydock in July for permanent repairs.The vessel continued transporting oil from Mexico to various Gulf ports, such asGalveston,Port EadsandNew Orleansas well as petroleum products from the Gulf to the Northeast ports of New York,BaltimoreandPhiladelphiathrough early part of 1925.

Following a continuing decline in Mexican oilfields production,W. L. Steedwas reassigned to the California to East coast route. The tanker transited through the Panama Canal for the first time on her new route on March 14, 1925, and returned on April 7 carrying 9,000 tons of gasoline fromSan Pedroto New Orleans.The vessel largely continued carrying gasoline from West coast refineries to various East coast ports through 1929 with occasional trips to Tampico.

In July 1929Standard Oil of Indianaannounced their intent to acquire Pan American Petroleum & Transport Co. and by late October they accumulated over 50% of the stock of the company, and extended their holding to 80% by January 1930.After becoming a subsidiary of Standard Oil, Pan American continued operating as a separate entity until 1932. During these transitional times,W. L. Steedwas employed on new route carrying oil fromArubato the ports on the Gulf and East coast of United States and continued serving it for almost two years.

On December 18, 1930, steamerPapoosewas towed by four tugs for Todd's shipyards atBrooklyn.When this flotilla was near Downey's Shipyard,W. L. Steedwith the tugMexpetapproached from the opposite direction and were then in the vicinity ofShooters Island.Both vessels were on their respective sides of the channel and were about to pass each other safely. When about fifteen to sixteen hundred feet apart,W. L. Steedsuddenly altered her course attempting to cross the bow ofPapoose.The engines of the three tugs alongsidePapoosewere reversed, and her anchor was dropped, butW. L. Steeddid not stop or reverse engines, increasing her speed instead, attempting to swing around the bow ofPapoose.W. L. Steedparted the towing hawser betweenPapooseand the tug, and then struck her starboard bow causing damage to both vessels.

In April 1932 Standard Oil of Indiana agreed to divest their newly acquired foreign assets of Pan American and sold them to Standard Oil of New Jersey. Following the acquisition, all foreign holdings and all ships acquired with them were incorporated as Pan American Foreign Company.Under new ownershipW. L. Steeddid not have an assigned route, but rather was used to transport oil and petroleum products from three different locations. One of them involved transporting oil from Venezuelan ports ofCaripito,Guairaand Las Piedras to United States ports of Boston, New York and Baltimore. The tanker also carried gasoline and fuel oil from Gulf coast refineries ofBaton Rouge,Port EadsandBaytownto a variety of ports along United States eastern seaboard. Finally, the ship continued making occasional trips to and from Aruba.

After over twenty years of nearly continuous operation, the tanker required an overhaul to her engines and arrived atBayonneon 30 June 1939 to await her turn to be put in a drydock for repairs. She remained docked there through August 1939 and eventually proceeded toMariner's Harborto go through the needed maintenance work at theBethlehem Steel Company's yard. All work with the exception of boiler replacement was finalized by the end of September, andW. L. Steeddeparted New York on 4 October 1939 bound forAransas Pass.

During 1940 and 1941,W. L. Steedwas primarily employed in coastwise trade transporting petroleum products from the Gulf ports to East coast, although the vessel made occasional journeys to foreign destinations such as Aruba andCartagenaamong others. Overall, she made 17 voyages in 1940 and 22 trips in 1941, carrying overall bulk oil cargoes of 1,053,261 barrels (~1.437×10^⁵t) and 1,396,278 barrels (~1.905×10^⁵t), respectively. From July 4 to October 18, 1940, the tanker was tied up inPatuxent Riverto undergo further repairs, and in October 1941 she had finally had her old boilers removed and had a set of new ones built byBabcock & Wilcoxinstalled.

Sinking

W. L. Steeddeparted on 14 January 1942 for her last voyage fromNorfolkbound for Cartagena. The tanker was under command of captain Harold G. McAvenia and had a crew of 38 men. After a largely uneventful journey, the ship reached her destination a week later and after loading a cargo of 65,396 barrels (~8,922 t) of oil, departed on 23 January 1942 for her return trip. Her return voyage was also mostly uneventful until early afternoon of January 30, 1942, when a lookout spotted what he thought was a small fishing craft but soon decided to be a submarine. The tanker radioed for help, and a U.S. Navy patrol plane showed up about an hour later but by then the submarine went away. By midnight of January 31 the weather worsened with the winds and heavy seas getting progressively stronger.W. L. Steedcontinued through rough weather on her northerly course to her destination.

On February 2 it started snowing and visibility had shrunk to about 2 nautical miles (3.7 km). At approximately 12:45 whenW. L. Steedwas about 80 to 90 nautical miles (150 to 170 km) east of the mouth ofDelaware River,German submarineU-103under the command ofWerner Winterfired one bow torpedo at the tanker. The vessel was struck on her starboard side, forward of thebridgeand around No.3 tank setting the cargo of oil on fire. The engines were stopped and the captain ordered the crew to abandon ship. Four lifeboats were launched and the whole crew of nine officers and twenty nine seamen left the ship in orderly fashion. By this time, the submarine surfaced a few hundred yards from the tanker. Due to rough seas, the waves had extinguished the flames and captain Winter ordered to man the deck gun.W. L. Steedwas hit 17 times after 83 shots were fired, which set the tanker afire again. Not willing to remain surfaced, the submarine launched two more torpedoes at the vessel deliveringcoup de grâce.One torpedo missed but the second one hit the ship causing explosion, shooting burning oil about 500 feet up in the air.W. L. Steedsettled by the bow and shortly sank, while the submarine departed the scene in the southwesterly direction.

The U-boat's departure left the four boats alone in the frigid waters. While the lifeboats were well stocked with water and provisions, they lacked warm clothing or blankets. AsW. L. Steedhad been abandoned in a haste, most men entered the lifeboats in whatever clothing they were wearing at the time of the attack. The boats soon drifted apart and, one by one, the ill-clad sailors began dying from hypothermia.

All but two men in lifeboat No.2 died one by one until the morning of February 6 when the survivors spotted a vessel passing close by and were able to attract her attention. Both seamen were taken aboard British steamer SSHartlepooland were landed at Halifax on February 9 where one of the survivors died the next day.

Lifeboat No.3 fell behind other boats from the beginning and the men in it decided to wait out the storm in their present location. They anchored the boat and as it got darker fired a few flares. After spotting a flare in the distance, they starting rowing in that direction but a huge wave went over them washing most of their oars, sails and rudder as well as other equipment overboard. The crew spent the night frantically pouring water from the lifeboat using any available means, as the storm grew stronger. The next morning one of the men died, and by noon another one died, and the last three survivors made a fire in the lifeboat in an attempt to stay warm. In the morning of February 4 they were spotted and taken on board by Canadianarmed merchant cruiserAlcantaraand landed at Halifax on February 7.

On 12 February 1942 British steamer SSRaby Castleon her passage to Cape Town came across lifeboat No. 4 containing four men, with only one of them being alive. The survivor was taken on board the ship but died from exposure three days later and was buried at sea. Lifeboat No. 1 which carried the captain and three other members of the crew was found empty on February 19 by steamer SSPoza Ricanorthwest of Cape Hatteras.

External links

• Department of the Navy: Naval Historical Center: Online Library of Selected Images: Civilian Ships: S.S.W.L. Steed(American Tanker, 1918). Served as USSW. L. Steed(ID # 3449) in 1918-1919.
• Department of the Navy: Naval Historical Center: Online Library of Selected Images: Civilian Ships: S.S.W.L. Steed(American Tanker, 1918). In Drydock (ID # 3449) in 1918-1919.