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Identification Numbered Civilian Ships Photo Archive

Avalon (ID 2432)



Avalon call sign (1927):
Mike - Cast - Tare - William

ex-Blue Ridge (ID 2432)



Call sign (1919):
Nan - Able - Tare - Xray
Transport:

  • Built in 1891 as Virginia by the Globe Iron Works, Cleveland, OH
  • Acquired by the Navy 19 April 1918
  • Commissioned USS Blue Ridge (ID 2432), 17 October 1918
  • Renamed Avalon 18 August 1919 by order of the Office of the Secretary of the Navy even though her name had been struck from the Navy list on 7 July 1919
  • Sold to the Catalina Island Steamship Line of Avalon, CA
  • Delivered to her buyer 21 August 1919
  • Retaining the latter name in civilian service, she was taken to the west coast and employed on passenger service between Los Angeles and Catalina Island, CA
  • Registered in 1927 to the Wilmington Transportation Co. of Wilmington, CA as the passenger ship Avalon
  • Sold in 1960 to Alvin Kidman of Terminal Island, CA
  • Sold for scrap in 1964 but sank while under tow off the California coast on 16 September 1964.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 1,606 t.
    1927 - 1,985 t.
  • Length 270'
    1927 - 264.7'
  • Beam 38' 2"
    1927 - 38.3'
  • Draft 12'
    1927 - 22.1'
  • Speed 16.5 kts.
  • Complement 87
    1927 - 60
  • Propulsion: Two double ended boilers, two 2,500hp triple expansion steam engines, two shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    SS Virginia
    Blue Ridge 72k Historical Collections of the Great Lakes
    Blue Ridge 104k Photographed prior to World War I, while operating on the Great Lakes
    U.S. Navy photo NH 100581    		 Naval Historical Center
    Blue Ridge 104k Underway on the Great Lakes, early in her career. This heavily retouched photograph was printed on a postal card. Virginia's upperworks were modified prior to World War I.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 100582
    Blue Ridge 137k At Muskegon, Michigan, prior to World War I. Color-tinted post card published by the E.C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The original card was postmarked at Muskegon on 28 August 1916
    Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 105838-KN    		 Robert Hurst
    Blue Ridge 114k Goodrich Dock, Muskegon, Michigan, about 1917
    Courtesy of Edward Middleton. From the collection of Harry Thorp, Jr.
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 41641
    USS Blue Ridge (ID 2432)
    Blue Ridge 107k Wearing camouflage paint and with her bow removed for passage through the locks between the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, circa summer 1918.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 100583    		 Naval Historical Center
    SS Avalon
    Blue Ridge 153k Shown in service between Catalina Island and the California mainland after World War I
    Donation of Captain Stephen S. Roberts, USNR (Retired), 2008
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 105948    		 Robert Hurst
    Blue Ridge 129k Off Catalina Island, Avalon, CA Tommy Trampp
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships History:

    Blue Ridge

    The Blue Ridge is the south easternmost ridge of the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and North Carolina.

    The first Blue Ridge (No. 2432), a transport, was built in 1891 as Virginia by Globe Iron Works, Cleveland, Ohio; purchased at Manitowoc Wis., 19 April 1918; and commissioned 17 October 1918, Lieutenant Commander E. S. Ells, USNR, in command.

    Blue Ridge arrived at Boston Navy Yard 28 December 1918 from the Great Lakes and remained there under repair until sold 18 August 1919. She was renamed Avalon 18 August 1919.

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