Saturday, March 10, 2012

the SS 'President Lincoln'

The President Lincoln along with sister ship President Tyler was built in 1961 by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation Shipyard in San Francisco for American President Lines and was one of its "Deluxe Sea Racer Cargo Liners". Both ships were the company's first designed to handle containers, albeit in only one hold just forward of the superstructure. Modifications to handle more were made later. The overall length was 563.75 ft (171.9 metres) with a 76 ft (23.2 metres) beam and a 32.5 ft (9.9 metres) draft. The main engines were Bethlehem Steel steam turbines, rated at 17,500 shaft horsepower driving a single screw. Steam was provided by Babcock & Wilcox boilers.

Although built as a freighter, there were also a total of eight cabins accommodating a maximum of 12 passengers. The accommodations were of a high standard and included two lounges, the dining room and a card room. In addition 60 crew members had their home on board.  In 1979 she was turned over to the Marine Administration (MARAD) and placed in the ready reserve fleet at Suisan Bay. She was moved to inactive status in 2001, and sold for scrapping in 2009 although this didn't take place until last year. (APL official pic)

2 comments:

Wallace said...

What a shame her upkeep was not maintained right through and possibly preserved as either a floating museuem on USA merchant ships,or drydock museum being built as merchant man and not for war effort.
So much history lost on these beautiful ships and those that sailed, and worked on them in ports around the world.

Anonymous said...

This ship was featured at the beginning of the Invaders season 2 episode 20 The Organization. Good San Francisco scenery from the 1960s too.