Alameda-class ferry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Class overview |
|
|---|---|
| Builders: | Southern Pacific Transportation Company Oakland shipyard |
| Operators: | 1914-1939 Southern Pacific |
| Built: | 1913-1915 |
| In service: | 1914-1945 |
| Planned: | 3 |
| Completed: | 2 |
| Cancelled: | 1 |
| Retired: | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | passenger ferry |
| Tonnage |
|
| Length | 273 ft (83.2 m) |
| Beam | 42.3 ft (12.9 m) |
| Depth | 15.3 ft (4.7 m) |
| Installed power | Total 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) from 4 water tube boilers |
| Propulsion | two 2-cylinder compound engines individually powering side wheels |
| Crew | 18 |
The Alameda was a large ferry boat designed to carry many passengers across San Francisco Bay. It was the first of three such ferries planned by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. This company and its earlier versions had been running ferries between San Francisco and Oakland, California since 1862.
By the early 1900s, ferries regularly traveled on three main routes to the San Francisco Ferry Building. These routes connected from Oakland Pier, Alameda, and the San Antonio Creek area. Each route needed two ferries working constantly. A third ferry was kept ready for when one boat needed repairs.
The Southern Pacific company designed the Alameda for the busy Oakland Pier route. This was because more and more people were using the ferries before World War I. The Alameda used large side wheels to move through the water. Instead of one engine, it had two separate engines for its wheels. This made the ferry easier to steer. Its two smokestacks also made it stand out from other ferries in San Francisco Bay.
Contents
The Alameda Ferry
Building and Service
The Alameda (documentation number 211868) was built at Southern Pacific's Oakland shipyard. It was launched in late 1913. The ferry began carrying passengers on February 23, 1914.
In the early morning of January 15, 1939, the Alameda made its last trip. This was the final ferry run that connected with the Oakland electric railway service. After this, electric trains started using the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge instead.
Role in World War II
After 1939, the Alameda was not used for a while. But during World War II, it was put back into service. It helped transport shipyard workers from San Francisco to the Richmond Shipyards. These shipyards were very important for building ships for the war.
The Alameda was later sold to the United States Navy. It was used as a floating barracks, which is like a floating home for sailors. It was called YHB-25. The ferry was taken apart for scrap metal in 1948.
Sister Ships
The Santa Clara
The hull (the main body) of the Santa Clara was built by the New Jersey Ship Building Company. This cost $97,000. It was built while the Alameda was still being finished at the Oakland shipyard. The hull was then pulled by a tugboat to Oakland to be completed.
The Santa Clara (documentation number 213389) started service on July 3, 1915. Later that year, the Santa Clara needed big repairs. A fire had started in its engine room. Like the Alameda, it was temporarily stopped after the Bay Bridge opened. But during World War II, the Santa Clara also carried shipyard workers. It transported them from San Francisco to Marinship. The Santa Clara was scrapped in 1947.
The Unbuilt San Mateo
A third ferry was planned to be named San Mateo. However, its construction faced many delays. First, work was paused to repair the Santa Clara. Then, the United States started focusing its factories on making weapons for the war. Finally, the United States Railroad Administration canceled the project.
The name San Mateo was later given to a different ferry. This happened in 1922 when the company bought some of the Six Minute ferries.
