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Fred W. Weller - (1917-1949)
See also : Fred W. Weller : RUNNING THE GANTLET
"Fred W. Weller", one of the past launchings at the San Francisco plant of the Union Iron Works Company.
Sistership is A. C. Bedford.
The "Fred W. Weller", a fine example of the modern American fuel oil tanker.
The "Weller", was completed in eleven months from the laying of the keel.
From : Pacific Marine Review Volume 14 - 1917
LAUNCHING OF THE "FRED W. WELLER"
On August 8th, another huge steamship gracefully glided into the water at the Union Iron Works, Potrero, and this time it was the largest commercial steamer built by any commercial shipyard on the Pacific Coast. Its owner is the Standard Oil Company of Nevv Jersey, named after one of the directors, "Fred W. Weller," and christened by Mrs. William S. Rheem, wife of the president of the Standard Oil Company (California), at the
invitation of Mr. Fred Weller. The sponsor thoroughly smashed the bottle of California champagne, proclaiming at the same time, "I christen thee Fred W. Weller" and the 5250 tons of metal calmly glided into the water without mishap. The owners and builders jointly presented Mrs. Rheem with a diamond necklace, and President J. A. McGregor, of the Union Iron Works, in a gracefully worded speech made the presentation.
Launchings have become very usual on the Pacific Coast in the past two years, but the "Fred W. Weller" is worthy of special comment as showing the great advancement in tank steamship construction on the Pacific Coast. The first tank steamship built on the Pacific Coast, and again by the Union Iron Works, was the steamer "George Loomis," built in 1896, with a cargo capacity of 6500 forty-two gallon barrels, exclusive of bunkers, and considered a large tanker at that time. The latest production, the "Fred W. Weller," has a cargo capacity of 112,000 forty-two gallon barrels, exclusive of bunkers. Please note the great advancement in twenty years, a "Fred W. Weller" being considered impossible in 1896.
The dimensions of this huge tanker are 520 feet over all, 500 feet between perpendiculars, 68 feet beam, and 38 feet deep from top of shelter deck.
The vessel has twin screws, driven by twin triple expansion engines, and the three Scotch boilers, fitted with Howden's forced draft, are arranged to burn either oil or coal. The bunker oil capacity is 6000 forty-two gallon barrels, so when fully loaded the "Fred W. Weller" will have on board a total of 118,000 forty-two gallon barrels, and adding to this the fresh water, provisions and supplies, a deadweight of approximately 15,000 tons is the result.
The first half of November, 1917, should see this great addition to our American Merchant Marine in service.
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"Fred W. Weller" inbound, during the war, October 10th, 1942.( Photo US Coast Guard )
SS "Fred W. Weller" + "Esso Tug No. 8", after teh war.
SS "Fred W. Weller". She had many thrills in Atlantic waters.
Additional Info by Starke & Schell Registers :
1917 - FRED W. WELLER USA 2T (aft) (10¼)
10,627 Grt for U. S. Shipping Board, Bayonne, 500.0 x 68.0
Tanker build by Bethlehem SB. Corp., San Francisco (12) #134 215847
ordered for Standard Oil Co. (New Jersey)
1920 - Standard Oil Co. (New Jersey), New York
1927 - Standard Shipping Co., Inc., Wilmington, Del.
1935 - Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey, Inc., Wilmington, Del.
Broken up at Philadelphia, 2nd quarter 1949 by Northern Metals Co.
The Miramar Ship Index for "FRED W. WELLER"
IDNo:
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2215847
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Year:
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1917
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Name:
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FRED W. WELLER
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Keel:
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Type:
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Tanker
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Launch Date:
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08.08.1917
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Flag:
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USA
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Date of completion:
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12.1917
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Tons:
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10626
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Link:
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-
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DWT:
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Yard No:
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134
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Length overall:
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Ship Design:
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LPP:
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152.4
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Country of build:
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USA
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Beam:
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20.7
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Builder:
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Bethlehem SB Corp.
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Material of build:
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Location of yard:
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San Francisco
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Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):
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2T-10.5
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Subsequent History:
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Disposal Data:
Scrapped at Philadelphia 2nd quarter 1949. [ By Northern Metals Co]
History:
ON
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LR/IMO
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ID
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Year
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Name
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Tons
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Change
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Registered Owner
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215847
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2215847
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1917
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FRED W. WELLER
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10626
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U.S. Govt.
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215847
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2215847
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1917
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FRED W. WELLER
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10626
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1920
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Standard Oil Co of New Jersey
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215847
|
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2215847
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1917
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FRED W. WELLER
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10626
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1927
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Standard Sg Co Inc.
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215847
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2215847
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1917
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FRED W. WELLER
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10626
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1935
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Standard Oil Co of New Jersey Inc.
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