SS Jeremiah O’Brien (1943)
SS Jeremiah O’Brien (IMO 5171749) is a Liberty ship that was built during World War II (WWII) by the New England Shipbuilding Corporation in South Portland, Maine. She was named after American Revolutionary War navy Captain Jeremiah O’Brien (1744–1818).
Liberty ships were operated by merchant mariners and used to carry cargo and military assets during WWII.
After the end of the war, Jeremiah O’Brien was one of the ships laid up as part of the United States National Defense Reserve Fleet, specifically the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet in Northern California. In 1979, she left Suisun Bay for San Francisco Bay under her own power to begin her new life as a museum ship. She is currently at Pier 35, San Francisco.
Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 45 in 2014. She moved to her current location at Pier 35 in 2020 after a huge fire damaged Pier 45. 12 August 2014.
The following selection of photos shows a few details taken in various areas on board the ship.
On board Jeremiah O’Brien looking toward the bow of the ship. 5 August 2024.
Ship’s bell, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
On board Jeremiah O’Brien looking toward the stern of the ship. 5 August 2024.
Wheelhouse, Jeremiah O’Brien.5 August 2024.
Chief steward’s cabin, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Galley, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Passageway, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Radio room, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Detail of upper part of engine room, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Engine room, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Some of the rods of the triple-expansion steam engine, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Detail of one of the boilers, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Engine order telegraph in the engine room, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Speaking tubes in the engine room, Jeremiah O’Brien. 5 August 2024.
Jeremiah O’Brien is a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.
For more information about the ship, see Captain Walter W. Jafee’s book SS Jeremiah O’Brien: The History of a Liberty Ship from The Battle of the Atlantic to the 21st Century (The Glencannon Press, 2008).
The poor JEREMIAH O’BRIEN is on the edge of bankruptcy. She spent all her cash on the latest shipyard period in order to get fully certified for the next 5 years, but visitation and income is down, and she’s really struggling. Generally when preserved ships fall on their face they’re in poor condition, but sadly, she’s as good as she was fresh from the shipyard. I’m sure any donations would be welcome.
It’s a shame that visitor count is down. Do you think it’s because of the current location?