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Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

El Capitan (SP 1407)


Cargo Ship: Built in 1917 as California by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, VA; Subsequently named Oliver J. Olsen and El Capitan, (dates unknown); Acquired by the Navy, 21 March 1918 and commissioned El Capitan (SP 1407) the same day; Decommissioned, 1 February 1919 and returned to the United States Shipping Board. Fate unknown.

Specifications: Displacement 10,200 t.; Length 364'; Beam 51'; Draft 25'; Speed 11 kts.; Complement 52; Armament one 6".
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Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: El Capitan (No. 1407), a cargo ship, was launched 18 August 1917 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, VA.; transferred from the Shipping Board 21 March 1918; and commissioned the same day, Lieutenant Commander J. H. Halsey, USNRF, in command.

Assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, El Capitan made four transatlantic voyages between 29 March and 23 November 1918. She carried various supplies and equipment from east coast ports to Brest, Verdon, Le Havre, Plymouth and Devonport. On her second voyage, one day out of Philadelphia, she sighted a U-boat abeam. Her guns forced the submarine to dive before it could attack.

El Capitan was decommissioned 1 February 1919 at New York and transferred to the Shipping Board.the same day for return to her owners.


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