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Western Pipe & Steel, South San Francisco and San Pedro CA

Most recent update December 11, 2011.

Western Pipe & Steel Company was created in Los Angeles in 1906, by T. A. Hays and James A. Talbot.  They acquired the Shaw-Batcher shipyard in South San Francisco in 1917 and built cargo ships for the U.S. Shipping Board in World War I.  It was one of the few WWI emergency yards not to close after the war, building barges and dredges and fabricating pipe between the wars, and becoming one of the pioneers of automatic welding machinery.  The yard had four berths from which ships were launched sideways, two on each side of a large basin.  The site is now a residential complex: see it from the air on Google here.  For WWII, the company started a second yard in San Pedro, which was in the West Basin, where Berths 125 to 132 are now: see the site from the air on Google here.  Several sources say that they used side-launch ways here too, but photographs clearly show end-launch ways.  Both yards closed at the end of the war and were sold to Consolidated Steel, which became Consolidated Western Steel, a division of U.S. Steel.  The two yards used a single sequence of hull numbers, but the known numbers do not match the chronological sequence of contract award dates.  If anyone can help with this conundrum or otherwise add to the table below, please e-mail timcolton@aol.com.

Hull # Yard

Original Name

 Original Owner Ship Type or Design Govt. # LOA GT Delivery Disposition
1 SF Isanti US Shipping Board 1019 334 424 5,700 Nov-18 Scrapped 1930
2 SF Nantahala US Shipping Board 1019 335 424 5,700 31-Oct-18 Scrapped 1929
3 SF West Avenal US Shipping Board 1019 336 424 5,700 1-Feb-19 Scrapped 1929
4 SF Oskaloosa US Shipping Board 1019 337 424 5,700 20-Dec-18 Scrapped 1929
5 SF West Vaca US Shipping Board 1019 338 424 5,700 27-Mar-19 Scrapped 1929
6 SF West Ashawa US Shipping Board 1019 339 424 5,700 21-May-19 Scrapped 1929
7 SF West Alcoz US Shipping Board 1019 340 424 5,700 24-Jun-19 Scrapped 1929
8 SF West Aleta US Shipping Board 1019 341 424 5,700 Jul-19 Wrecked 1920
9 SF West Cactus US Shipping Board 1019 1148 424 5,700 Aug-19 Scrapped 1947
10 SF West Caddoa US Shipping Board 1019 1149 424 5,700 10-Sep-19 Later Empire Guillemot 1941, torpedoed from the air and lost 1941
11 SF West Kader US Shipping Board 1019 1150 424 5,700 31-Dec-19 Later New York 1928, Pan Kraft 1937, bombed and lost 1942
12 SF West Cadron US Shipping Board 1019 1151 424 5,700 3-Mar-20 Later Iowa 1928, wrecked 1936
13 SF West Cahokia US Shipping Board 1019 1152 424 5,700 16-Apr-20 Later Pacific Fir 1926, Jacob Ruppert 1938, Cocle 1941, torpedoed and lost 1942
14 SF West Calera US Shipping Board 1019 1153 424 5,700 14-Jan-20 Later Golden Harvest 1928, Oklahoman 1937, wrecked 1942
15 SF West Camak US Shipping Board 1019 1154 424 5,700 Jun-20 Later Antonio Locatelli 1938, sunk by gunfire 1940
16 SF West Camargo US Shipping Board 1019 1155 424 5,700 21-Jul-20 Later Desna 1943, scrapped 1973
17 SF West Canon US Shipping Board 1019 1156 424 5,700 Sep-20 Later Pacific Spruce 1926, William L. Thompson 1939, Transocean 1947, Hai Fei 1948, scrapped 1960
18 SF West Carmona US Shipping Board 1019 1157 424 5,700 Oct-20 Later Golden State 1928, Lahaina 1937, sunk by gunfire 1941
19-28 SF   US Shipping Board 1019 1371-1380 424 5,700   Transferred to Southwestern SB
29-32 SF   US Shipping Board 1019 2202-2205 424 5,700   Cancelled 1919
33-56 SF                
57 SF American Manufacturer US Maritime Comm. C1-B 94 417 6,800 11-Apr-41 Sold 1948 as Hoegh Merchant, later Mathilda 1956, President Osmena 1963 and Seven Generals 1965, scrapped 1973
58 SF American Leader US Maritime Comm. C1-B 95 417 6,800 12-Jun-41 Sunk by gunfire near St. Helena 1942
59 SF American Builder US Maritime Comm. C1-B 96 417 6,800 25-Jul-41 To NDRF 1952 as Cape Decision, scrapped 1968
60 SF American Press US Maritime Comm. C1-B 97 417 6,800 3-Sep-41 To NDRF 1952 as Cape Lookout, scrapped 1970
61 SF American Packer US Maritime Comm. C1-B 98 417 6,800 14-Oct-41 Scrapped 1971
62 SF Steel Artisan/Barnes US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 171 492 8,000 30-Sep-42 To USN as CVE 7, to Britain as HMS Attacker (D 02), sold 1950 as passenger ship Castel Forte, later Fairsky 1958, Philippine Tourist 1978, scrapped 1980
63 SF Cascade US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 172 492 8,000 11-Sep-42 To USN as AD 16, scrapped 1975
64 SF Chandeleur US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 173 492 8,000 19-Nov-42 To USN as AV 10, scrapped 1971
65 SF Hamlin US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 174 492 8,000 21-Dec-42 To USN as CVE 15, to Britain as HMS Stalker (D 91), sold 1947 as Riouw, later Lobito 1967, scrapped 1975
66 ? SP   US Navy YF 261 110 160 1941 Later YFN, to Foreign Liquidation Commission 1946
67 ? SP   US Navy YF 262 110 160 Mar-41 Later YFN, sold 1998 as Barge 104, active
68 ? SP   US Navy YF 265 110 160 1941 Later YFN, struck 2001
69 ? SP   US Navy YF 267 110 160 1941 Later YFN, reported destroyed 1947
70 ? SP   US Navy YF 274 110 160 Apr-41 Later YFN, YFNX 41 1994, sold 1998
71 SP   US Navy YF 276 110 160 10-Apr-41 Later YFN, sold 2001 as Delta Tender, Westar XIV 2003, active
72 SP   US Navy YF 277 110 160 Apr-41 Later YFN, sold 1947, later OTI 277
73 SP   US Navy YF 278 110 160 18-Apr-41 Later YFN, sold 2001 as YFN 278, GC 32 2004, active
74 SP   US Navy YF 279 110 160 Apr-41 Later YFN, struck 1997, to MARAD for use at RRF Alameda
75 ? SP   US Navy YF 281 110 160 1941 Later YFN, reported lost 1948
76 ? SP   US Navy YF 282 110 160 1941 Later YFN, sold 1946
--- SP One of the 11 YFs above US Navy YF   110 160 1941 Later YFN, sold, later VPD No. 26 1951, Dillingham No. 200, active
77 SF Croatan US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 197 492 8,000 27-Feb-43 To USN as CVE 14, to Britain as HMS Fencer (D 64), sold 1950 as passenger ship Sydney, later Roma, Galaxy Queen, Lady Dina and Caribia 2, scrapped 1975
78 SF Prince William US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 198 492 8,000 18-May-43 To USN as CVE 19, to Britain as HMS Striker (D 12), scrapped 1946
79 SF Sea Pike US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 267 492 8,000 13-Feb-43 Sold 1946 as Mormacwave, later Lone Star State, scrapped 1970
80 SF Sea Bass US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 268 492 8,000 31-Mar-43 Sold 1946 as William Luckenbach, later P & T Forester, then American Robin, scrapped 1973
81 SF Sea Angel/Bolivar US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 269 492 8,000 15-Mar-43 To USN as AP 79, later APA 34, sold 1948 as President Van Buren, later President Harding, Thailand Bear and Santa Monica, scrapped 1972
82 SF Sea Mink/Callaway US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 270 492 8,000 24-Apr-43 To USN as AP 80, later APA 35, sold 1948 as President Harrison, later Hurricane, scrapped 1974
83 SF Sea Swallow/Cambria US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 271 492 8,000 4-May-43 To USN as AP 81, later APA 36, then LPA 36, scrapped 1972
84 SF Sea Snipe US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 272 492 8,000 29-May-43 Sold 1947 as Edward Luckenbach, later Aloha State, scrapped 1971
85 SF Sea Needle/Chilton US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 273 492 8,000 29-May-43 To USN as AP 83, latrt APA 38, then LPA 38, scrapped 1974
86 SF Sea Carp/Clay US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 274 492 8,000 29-Jun-43 To USN as AP 84, later APA 39, sold 1948 as President Johnson, later La Salle, scrapped 1974
87 SF Sea Bass/Bayfield US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 275 492 8,000 30-Jun-43 To USN as AP 78, later APA 33, scrapped 1969
88 SF Unnamed/Cavalier US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 276 492 8,000 19-Jul-43 To USN as AP 82, later APA 37, scrapped 1969
89 SF Sea Barb US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 277 492 8,000 6-Aug-43 Sold 1949 as F. J. Luckenbach, later P & T Seafarer, then American Hawk, scrapped 1971
90 SF Sea Cat US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 278 492 8,000 25-Aug-43 Sold 1949 as Lena Luckenbach, later Overseas Lena, then Overseas Eva, scrapped 1971
91 SF Sea Devil US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 279 492 8,000 30-Nov-43 Sold 1949 as Harry Luckenbach, later Copper State, scrapped 1973
92 SF Sea Flasher US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 280 492 8,000 24-Dec-43 Sold 1949 as Steel Age, scrapped 1971
93 SF Sea Arrow/Alpine US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 281 492 8,000 30-Sep-43 To USN as APA 92, sold 1948 as India Mail, later Transwestern, then Buckeye Pacific, scrapped 1971
94 SF Sea Snapper/Barnstaple US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 282 492 8,000 30-Oct-43 To USN as APA 93, sold 1948 as Steel Fabricator, later Reliance Dynasty, then Grand Valor, scrapped 1974
95 SF Sea Corporal US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 283 492 8,000 31-Jan-44 Sold 1949 as Steel Surveyor, scrapped 1971
96 ? SP Northwind US Coast Guard WAG 278 269 6,515 26-Feb-44 To USSR as Severni Veter, later Admiral Makarov, to USN 1951 as Staten Island (AGB 5), to USCG 1966  as WAGB 278, sold 1975
97 ? SP Eastwind US Coast Guard WAG 279 269 6,515 3-Jun-44 Sold 1972, scrapped 1978
98 ? SP Southwind US Coast Guard WAG 280 269 6,515 15-Jul-44 To USSR as Kapitan Belusov, to USN 1950 as Atka (AGB 3), to USCG 1966 as Southwind (WAGB 280), sold 1976
99 ? SP Westwind US Coast Guard WAG 281 269 6,515 18-Sep-44 To USSR as Severni Pulius, to USCG 1950 as Westwind (WAGB 281), scrapped 1988
  SP   US Navy YO 78 165 440 Jul-43 Sunk as target 1979
  SP   US Navy YO 79 165 440 Feb-43 To Foreign Liquidation Commission 1946
  SP   US Navy YO 130 165 440 Aug-43 Later YON 310, sold 1999
  SP   US Navy YO 131 165 440 1943 To Vietnam 1971 as HQ 474, scuttled 1975
  SP   US Navy YO 132 165 440 1943 Reported lost 1947
  SP   US Navy YO 133 165 440 1943 Scrapped 1977
  SP   US Navy YOG 35 165 440 1943 Scrapped 1975
  SP   US Navy YOG 36 165 440 1943 Scrapped 1975
119 SP   US Navy YW 93 165 440 1943 Later Irving Hickory, scrapped 1983
120 SP   US Navy YW 94 165 440 1943 Later Standard Oiler 1952, Recoverer 1973, Don Hector 1993, Golfa 1997
  SP   US Navy YW 95 165 440 1943 May have been built elsewhere, scrapped 1974
  SP Bangust US Navy DE 739 306 1,620 30-Oct-43 To Peru as Castilla (D 1) 1952, struck 1979
  SP Waterman US Navy DE 740 306 1,620 30-Nov-43 To Peru as Aguirre (D 2) 1952, sunk 1974
  SP Weaver US Navy DE 741 306 1,620 31-Dec-43 To Peru as Rodriguez (D 3) 1952, struck 1979
  SP Hilbert US Navy DE 742 306 1,620 4-Feb-44 Scrapped 1973
  SP Lamons US Navy DE 743 306 1,620 29-Feb-44 Scrapped 1973
  SP Kyne US Navy DE 744 306 1,620 4-Apr-44 Scrapped 1973
  SP Snyder US Navy DE 745 306 1,620 5-May-44 Scrapped 1973
  SP Hemminger US Navy DE 746 306 1,620 30-May-44 To Thailand as Pin Klao (F 3) 1959, active
  SP Bright US Navy DE 747 306 1,620 30-Jun-44 To France as Touareg (F 721) 1950, struck 1958
  SP Tills US Navy DE 748 306 1,620 8-Aug-44 Sunk as target 1969
  SP Roberts US Navy DE 749 306 1,620 2-Sep-44 Sunk as target 1971
  SP McClelland US Navy DE 750 306 1,620 19-Sep-44 Scrapped 1973
  SP Gaynier US Navy DE 751 306 1,620   Cancelled 1944
  SP Curtis W. Howard US Navy DE 752 306 1,620   Cancelled 1944
  SP John J. Van Buren US Navy DE 753 306 1,620   Cancelled 1944
  SP Willard Keith US Navy DE 754 306 1,620   Cancelled 1943
  SP Paul G. Baker US Navy DE 755 306 1,620   Cancelled 1943
  SP Damon M. Cummings US Navy DE 756 306 1,620   Cancelled 1943
  SP   US Navy DE 757-762 306 1,620   Cancelled 1943
  SP   US Navy DE 887-898 306 1,620   Cancelled 1943
121 SF Sea Angler/Cecil US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1544 492 8,000 26-Feb-44 To USN as APA 96, sold 1948 as Steel Admiral, scrapped 1973
122 SF Sea Fiddler US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1545 492 8,000 18-May-44 Sold 1947 as Hawaiian Refiner, scrapped 1971
123 SF Sea Flier US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1546 492 8,000 27-May-44 Sold 1947 as Horace Luckenbach, later Overseas Natalie 1969, scrapped 1971
124 SF Sea Sturgeon US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 547 492 8,000 18-Jul-44 Sold 1947 as Hawaiian Farmer, scrapped 1971
125 SF Sea Runner US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1548 492 8,000 29-Jun-44 Sold 1947 as Robert Luckenbach, later Overseas Rose 1961, scrapped 1971
126 SF Sea Ray US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1549 492 8,000 29-Jul-44 Sold 1947 as Hawaiian Rancher, scrapped 1972
127 SF Sea Partridge US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1550 492 8,000 30-Sep-44 Sold 1947 as Steel Vendor, wrecked 1971
128 SF Sea Adder/Gladwyn US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1551 492 8,000 12-Oct-44 To USN as APA 106, sold 1947 as Steel Apprentice, scrapped 1973
129 SF Sea Wren/Goodhue US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1552 492 8,000 11-Nov-44 To USN as APA 107, sold 1947 as Hawaiian Citizen, scrapped 1982
130 SF Sea Hare/Goshen US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1553 492 8,000 13-Dec-44 To USN as APA 108, sold 1947 as Canada Mail, later California Mail 1963, then LaFayette 1968, scrapped 1973
131 SF Sea Sparrow/Grafton US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1554 492 8,000 31-Dec-44 To USN as APA 109, sold 1947 as Java Mail, later Carrier Dove 1969, scrapped 1974
132 SF Sea Cardinal US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1555 492 8,000 29-Jan-45 Sold 1947 as Steel Architect, scrapped 1971
133 SF Sea Finch/Sea Shark US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1556 492 8,000 17-Feb-45 Sold 1947 as Steel Maker, scrapped 1973
134 SF Sea Starling/Sea Blenny US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1557 492 8,000 9-Mar-45 Sold 1947 as Hawaiian Builder, scrapped 1973
135 SF Sea Thrush US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 1558 492 8,000 20-Jul-45 Sold 1947 as President Taft, later President Harding 1968, scrapped 1973
136 SF Sea Beaver US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 1559 492 8,000 8-Aug-45 Sold 1947 as President Grant, later President Hoover 1967, scrapped 1973
137 SF Sea Jumper US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 1560 492 8,000