SS PRESIDENT COOLIDGE

Length - 654' 3"	Gross Tons - 21,936	Propulsion- Turb-elec - (2)
Beam - 81' 0"	Speed Knots - 20	Passengers ---------- 3,486
Draft - 34' 0"	Radius Miles - 14,400	Cargo (cu ft) ------- 550,000

Click on photos to see larger view.

Built in 1931 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co, Newport News, VA. Operated prior to World War 11 by American President Lines. Launched 21st February 1931, Trialed and delivered to owners 1st October 1931.

This luxury liner had been in regular commercial trans-pacific services before World War 11, being occasionally used by the War Department on a part-voyage basis. Her first voyage for the army began at San Francisco on 15th July 1941 and took her to Honolulu and Manila. After return in late August the ship again left San Francisco, in early September, for Honolulu and Manila. On 1st of November the PRESIDENT COOLIDGE once more sailed from the Golden Gate for the same destinations, and was en route home, midway between Manila and Honolulu, when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occured. She reached San Francisco on Christmas Day 1941.

In early 1942 the ship was hastily adapted for carrying large numbers of troops and at once began service to the Southwest Pacific. On 12 January she left for Melbourne and Wellington, returning to San Franscisco on 7 March. Next departing on 19 March the vessel again visited Melbourne and Bora Bora. Return to San Francisco was on 8 May and departure on the 26th took her to the Fiji Islands, Auckland and Suva.

Michael Cuffer

The PRESIDENT COOLIDGE returned to San Francisco on 29 August and on 6 October sailed for New Caledonia and Espiritu Santo. On 26 October 1942, she struck an American mine in the east entrance of the Segond Channel at Espiritu Santo and sank in 20 fathoms of water. Nearly all of the 5,000 officers and men on board were saved.

The President Coolidge is well known as one of the greatest wreck dives in the world. One of the interesting things that makes the President Coolidge so interesting is the variety of things to see. As a luxury passenger liner it has all the fine furnishings and decor while at the same time having all the military hardware and equipment. As the wreck is so large, many dives are needed to see the wreck in detail.


Readings about the sinking:

• Letter from Henry Nelson, Master, SS President Coolidge
• Statement of the Accused
• Readings from the Court
• Statements by Survivors