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Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

Major Wheeler (SP 3637)


Built in 1917 by the Hanlon Drydock and Shipbuilding Co., Oakland, CA; Launched, 4 July 1918; Acquired by the Navy, 30 September 1918; Commissioned USS Major Wheeler (SP 3637), 8 October 1918; Decommissioned, 19 May 1919 and returned to the United States Shipping Board; Struck from the Naval Register, (date unknown); Sold, 1922 to the Baltimore Steam Ship Co. Fate unknown.

Specifications: Displacement 7,020 t.; Length 305'; Beam 46'; Draft 21' 3"; Speed 10.5 kts.; Complement 70; Armament
two 4".
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Major Wheeler 78k USN Photo NH 65047 Naval Historical Center

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Major Wheeler was launched by Hanlon Drydock & Shipbuilding Co., Oakland, Calif., 4 July 1918; acquired by the Navy from USSB 30 September 1918; and commissioned 8 October 1918.

The new freighter departed San Pedro, Calif., 3 November 1918 for Callao, Peru, where she exchanged a general cargo for nitrates needed for manufacturing munitions. Steaming via Arica, Chile, and Cape Horn she arrived Charleston, S.C., 26 December. She departed New York 15 February 1919 and arrived, via Trinidad, at Santos, Brazil, 16 March. After calls along the Brazilian coast she returned to New York 9 May. Major Wheeler decommissioned there 19 May 1919 and returned to USSB. In 1922 she was sold to Baltimore SS Co.


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