Florence J.

Florence J. was a small gasoline-powered vessel built in 1913 or 1914 at Dockton, Washington. The vessel is chiefly remembered for having capsized immediately upon being launched.


Above: Oil service vessel Florence J. just before launch.
Below: just after launch, tug Stinson alongside.
History
Name: Florence J.
Launched: 1913 or 1914
In service: 1913
Identification: US registry # 211771
General characteristics
Type: oil service vessel
Tonnage: 49 gross; 33 regist.
Length: 72 ft (21.95 m)
Beam: 19.8 ft (6.04 m)
Depth: 5.7 ft (1.74 m)
Installed power: gasoline engine, 80 hp (60 kW)
Propulsion: propeller

Career

Florence J. was built to replace the Rene, then owned by Union Oil Service and running on Puget Sound.[1] The vessel was equipped with an 80-horsepower (60 kW) Frisco Standard gasoline engine.[1] Florence J. was reported to have been a propeller-driven vessel 72 ft (21.95 m) in length and 19.8 ft (6.04 m) in width, with 5.7 ft (1.74 m) depth of hold, displacing 49 gross tons or 33 registered tons.[2] Florence J. is also reported to have been launched in 1914.[1]

Launching

Florence J. is chiefly known for the major failure that accompanied the launching of the vessel, which was recorded by the important Puget Sound maritime photographer Asahel Curtis.

Name change

In 1920 the vessel's name is recorded as having been changed to Despatch No. 5.[3]

Notes
  1. Newell, ed. H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest, at page 244.
  2. U.S. Dept. of the Treasure, Bureau of the Statistics, Annual list of Merchant Vessels of the United States (for the year ending 1913)
  3. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Navigation, Seagoing Vessels of the United States (1920).

References
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