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

Western Pipe & Steel was created in Los Angeles in 1906, by T. A. Hays and James A. Talbot.  They acquired the Shaw-Batcher shipyard in 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, which is said to have been known locally as "Western Swipe and Steal", was in South San Francisco and 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 north-west corner of the West Basin, where Berths 125 to 132 are now: see the site from the air on Google here. 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: in the table below, the ships built in San Pedro have a suffix P in their hull numbers.  If anyone can add to the table below, please e-mail tim@coltoncompany.com.

Hull # Original Name Owner MC Design MC Hull # Tons Delivered Disposition
1 Isanti US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Sep-18 Scrapped 1930
2 Nantahala US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Oct-18 Scrapped 1929
3 West Avenal US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Feb-19 Scrapped 1929
4 Oskaloosa US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Dec-18 Scrapped 1929
5 West Vaca US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Mar-19 Scrapped 1929
6 West Ashawa US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 May-19 Scrapped 1929
7 West Alcoz US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Jun-19 Scrapped 1929
8 West Aleta US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Jul-19 Wrecked 1920
9 West Cactus US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Aug-19 Scrapped 1947
10 West Caddoa US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Sep-19 Later Empire Guillemot 1941, torpedoed from the air and lost 1941
11 West Kader US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Dec-19 Later New York 1928, Pan Kraft 1937, bombed and lost 1942
12 West Cadron US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Mar-20 Later Iowa 1928, wrecked 1936
13 West Cahokia US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Apr-20 Later Pacific Fir 1926, Jacob Ruppert 1938, Cocle 1941, torpedoed and lost 1942
14 West Calera US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Apr-20 Later Golden Harvest 1928, Oklahoman 1937, wrecked 1942
15 West Camak US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Jun-20 Later Antonio Locatelli 1938, sunk by gunfire 1940
16 West Camargo US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Jul-20 Later Desna 1943, scrapped 1973
17 West Canon US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Sep-20 Later Pacific Spruce 1926, William L. Thompson 1939, Transocean 1947, Hai Fei 1948, scrapped 1960
18 West Carmona US Shipping Board Cargo Ship   8,600 Oct-20 Later Golden State 1928, Lahaina 1937, sunk by gunfire 1941
19-56             Numbers not used ?
57 American Manufacturer US Maritime Comm. C1-B 94 11-Apr-41 Sold 1948 as Hoegh Merchant, later Mathilda, President Osmena and Seven Generals, scrapped 1973
58 American Leader US Maritime Comm. C1-B 95 12-Jun-41 Sunk by gunfire near St. Helena 1942
59 American Builder US Maritime Comm. C1-B 96 25-Jul-41 To NDRF 1952 as Cape Decision, scrapped 1968
60 American Press US Maritime Comm. C1-B 97 3-Sep-41 To NDRF 1952 as Cape Lookout, scrapped 1970
61 American Packer US Maritime Comm. C1-B 98 14-Oct-41 Scrapped 1971
62 Steel Artisan US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 171 30-Sep-42 To USN as Barnes (CVE 7), to Britain 1942 as HMS Attacker (D 02), sold 1950 as passenger ship Castel Forte, later Fairsky and Philippine Tourist, scrapped 1980
63 Cascade US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 172 11-Sep-42 To USN as Cascade (AD 16), scrapped 1975
64 Chandeleur US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 173 19-Nov-42 To USN as Chandeleur (AV 10), scrapped 1971
65 Hamlin US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 174 21-Dec-42 To USN as Hamlin (CVE 15), to Britain 1942 as HMS Stalker (D 91), sold 1947 as Riouw, later Lobito, scrapped 1975
66-76 11 barges
77 Croatan US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 197 27-Feb-43 To USN as Croatan (CVE 14), to Britain 1942 as HMS Fencer (D 64), sold 1950 as passenger ship Sydney, later Roma, Galaxy Queen, Lady Dina and Caribia 2, scrapped 1975
78 Prince William US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 198 18-May-43 To USN as Prince William (CVE 19), to Britain 1942 as HMS Striker (D 12), scrapped 1946
79 Sea Pike US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 267 13-Feb-43 Sold 1946 as Mormacwave, later lone Star State, scrapped 1970
80 Sea Bass US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 268 31-Mar-43 Sold 1946 as William Luckenbach, later P & T Forester, then American Robin, scrapped 1973
81 Sea Angel US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 269 15-Mar-43 To USN as Bolivar (AP 79/APA 34), sold 1948 as President Van Buren, later President Harding, Thailand Bear and Santa Monica, scrapped 1972
82 Sea Mink US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 270 24-Apr-43 To USN as Callaway (AP 80/APA 35), sold 1948 as President Harrison, later Hurricane, scrapped 1974
83 Sea Swallow US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 271 4-May-43 To USN as Cambria (AP 81/APA 36/LPA 36), scrapped 1972
84 Sea Snipe US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 272 29-May-43 Sold 1947 as Edward Luckenbach, later Aloha State, scrapped 1971
85 Sea Needle US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 273 29-May-43 To USN as Chilton (AP 83/APA 38/LPA 38), scrapped 1974
86 Sea Carp US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 274 29-Jun-43 To USN as Clay (AP 84/APA 39), sold 1948 as President Johnson, later La Salle, scrapped 1974
87 Sea Bass US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 275 30-Jun-43 To USN as Bayfield (AP 78/APA 33), scrapped 1969
88 Sea ______ US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 276 19-Jul-43 To USN as Cavalier (AP 82/APA 37), scrapped 1969
89 Sea Barb US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 277 6-Aug-43 Sold 1949 as F. J. Luckenbach, later P & T Seafarer, then American Hawk, scrapped 1971
90 Sea Cat US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 278 25-Aug-43 Sold 1949 as Lena Luckenbach, later Overseas Lena, then Overseas Eva, scrapped 1971
91 Sea Devil US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 279 30-Nov-43 Sold 1949 as Harry Luckenbach, later Copper State, scrapped 1973
92 Sea Flasher US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 280 24-Dec-43 Sold 1949 as Steel Age, scrapped 1971
93 Sea Arrow US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 281 30-Sep-43 To USN as Alpine (APA 92), sold 1948 as India Mail, later Transwestern, then Buckeye Pacific, scrapped 1971
94 Sea Snapper US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 282 30-Oct-43 To USN as Barnstaple (APA 93), sold 1948 as Steel Fabricator, later Reliance Dynasty, then Grand Valor, scrapped 1974
95 Sea Corporal US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 283 31-Jan-44 Sold 1949 as Steel Surveyor, scrapped 1971
 96P Bangust DE 739 30-Oct-43 To Peru as Castilla (D 1) 1952, struck 1979
 97P Waterman DE 740 30-Nov-43 To Peru as Aguirre (D 2) 1952, sunk 1974
 98P Weaver DE 741 31-Dec-43 To Peru as Rodriguez (D 3) 1952, struck 1979
 99P Hilbert DE 742 4-Feb-44 Scrapped 1973
 100P Lamons DE 743 29-Feb-44 Scrapped 1973
 101P Kyne DE 744 4-Apr-44 Scrapped 1973
 102P Snyder DE 745 5-May-44 Scrapped 1973
 103P Hemminger DE 746 30-May-44 To Thailand as Pin Klao (F 3) 1959, active
 104P Bright DE 747 30-Jun-44 To France as Touareg (F 721) 1950, struck 1958
 105P Tills DE 748 8-Aug-44 Sunk as target 1969
 106P Roberts DE 749 2-Sep-44 Sunk as target 1971
 107P McClelland DE 750 19-Sep-44 Scrapped 1973
 108P Gaynier DE 751 Cancelled
 109P C. W. Howard DE 752 Cancelled
 110P John J. Van Buren DE 753 Cancelled
 111P Willard Keith DE 754   Cancelled
 112P Paul G. Baker DE 755   Cancelled
 113P Damon M. Cummings DE 756   Cancelled
 114P-119P   DE 757-762   Cancelled
120             Number not used ?
121 Sea Angler US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1544 26-Feb-44 To USN as Cecil (APA 96), sold 1948 as Steel Admiral, scrapped 1973
122 Sea Fiddler US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1545 18-May-44 Sold 1947 as Hawaiian Refiner, scrapped 1971
123 Sea Flier US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1546 27-May-44 Sold 1947 as Horace Luckenbach, later Overseas Natalie, scrapped 1971
124 Sea Sturgeon US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1547 18-Jul-44 Sold 1947 as Hawaiian Farmer, scrapped 1971
125 Sea Runner US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1548 29-Jun-44 Sold 1947 as Robert Luckenbach, later Overseas Rose, scrapped 1971
126 Sea Ray US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1549 29-Jul-44 Sold 1947 as Hawaiian Rancher, scrapped 1972
127 Sea Partridge US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1550 30-Sep-44 Sold 1947 as Steel Vendor, sank 1971
128 Sea Adder US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1551 12-Oct-44 To USN as Gladwin (APA 106), sold 1947 as Steel Apprentice, scrapped 1973
129 Sea Wren US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1552 11-Nov-44 To USN as Goodhue (APA 107), sold 1947 as Hawaiian Citizen, scrapped 1982
130 Sea Hare US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1553 13-Dec-44 To USN as Goshen (APA 108), sold 1947 as Canada Mail, later California Mail, then LaFayette, scrapped 1973
131 Sea Sparrow US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1554 31-Dec-44 To USN as Grafton (APA 109), sold 1947 as Java Mail, later Carrier Dove, scrapped 1974
132 Sea Cardinal US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1555 29-Jan-45 Sold 1947 as Steel Architect, scrapped 1971
133 Sea Shark US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1556 17-Feb-45 Sold 1947 as Steel Maker, scrapped 1973
134 Sea Blenny US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A2 1557 9-Mar-45 Sold 1947 as Hawaiian Builder, scrapped 1973
135 Sea Thrush US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 1558 20-Jul-45 Sold 1947 as President Taft, later President Harding, scrapped 1973
136 Sea Beaver US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 1559 8-Aug-45 Sold 1947 as President Hoover, scrapped 1973
137 Sea Jumper US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 1560 18-Sep-45 Sold 1947 as President Pierce, scrapped 1973
138 Sea Starling US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 1561 12-Jun-46 Sold 1947 as President Madison, scrapped 1973
139 US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 1562 Cancelled
140P Northwind WAG 278 26-Feb-44 To USSR 1944 as Severni Veter, to USN 1951 as Staten Island, to USCG 1966, sold 1975, disposition unknown
141P Eastwind WAG 279 3-Jun-44 Sold 1972, disposition unknown
142P Southwind WAG 280 15-Jul-44 To USSR 1945 as Kapitan Belusov, to USN 1950 as Atka, to USCG 1966 as Southwind, sold 1976, disposition unknown
143P Westwind WAG 281 18-Sep-44 To USSR 1945 as Severni Pulius, to USCG 1950 as Westwind, sold 1988, disposition unknown
144P Northwind WAG 282 28-Jul-45 To NDRF 1989, sold 1998
145P Owasco WHEC 39 18-May-45 Scrapped 1974
146P Winnebago WHEC 40 21-Jun-45 Scrapped 1974
147P Chautauqua WHEC 41 4-Aug-45 Scrapped 1974
148P Sebago WHEC 42 20-Sep-45 Scrapped 1974
149P Iroquois WHEC 43 9-Feb-46 Scrapped 1965
150P Wachusett WHEC 44 23-Mar-46 Scrapped 1974
151P Escanaba WHEC 64 20-Mar-46 Scrapped 1974
152P Winona WHEC 65 19-Apr-46 Scrapped 1974
153P Klamath WHEC 66 19-Jun-46 Scrapped 1974
154P Minnetonka WHEC 67 11-Jul-46 Scrapped 1974
155P Androscroggin WHEC 68 26-Sep-46 Scrapped 1974
    DE 887-898   Cancelled 1943
156-174             Numbers not used ?
175 Sea Phoebe US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 2192 29-Jul-46 Sold 1947 as President McKinley, scrapped 1970
176 Sea Oriole US Maritime Comm. C3-S-A4 2193 22-Aug-46 Sold 1947 as President Jefferson, scrapped 1970
177P Unnamed LSM 233  Aug-44 Struck 1946
178P Unnamed LSM 234  Aug-44 Struck 1946
179P Unnamed LSM 235  Aug-44 To China 1948
180P Unnamed LSM 236  Sep-44 To the Philippines 1960
181P Unnamed LSM 237  Sep-44 To China 1946
182P Unnamed LSM 238  Sep-44 Struck 1946
183P Unnamed LSM 239  Sep-44 Scuttled 1947
184P Unnamed LSM 240  Sep-44 Struck 1946
185P Unnamed LSM 241  Oct-44 Struck 1946
186P Unnamed LSM 242  Oct-44 Sold 1948
187P Unnamed LSM 243  Oct-44 Struck 1946
188P Unnamed LSM 244  Oct-44 Struck 1946
189P Unnamed LSM 245  Nov-44 Struck 1946
190P Unnamed LSM 246  Nov-44 Struck 1946
191P Unnamed LSM 247  Nov-44 Struck 1946
192P Unnamed LSM 248  Nov-44 To China 1946
193P Unnamed LSM 249  Nov-44 Struck 1946
194P Unnamed LSM 250  Dec-44 Struck 1957
195P Unnamed LSM 251  Dec-44 Struck 1946
196P Unnamed LSM 252  Dec-44 Sunk 1947
197P Unnamed LSM 447  Dec-44 Struck 1947
198P Unnamed LSM 448  Jan-45 Struck 1958
199P Unnamed LSM 449  Jan-45 Struck 1947
200P Unnamed LSM 450  Jan-45 Struck 1947
201P Unnamed LSM 451  Jan-45 Struck 1947
202P Unnamed LSM 452  Feb-45 Struck 1947
203P Unnamed LSM 453  Feb-45 To China 1946
204P Unnamed LSM 454  Feb-45 Struck 1947
205P Unnamed LSM 455  Feb-45 Sold 1959
206P Unnamed LSM 456  Feb-45 To China 1947
207P Unnamed LSM 457  Feb-45 To China 1946
208P Unnamed LSM 458  Feb-45 To VFW in Bellevue NJ 1948
209-243             Numbers not used ?
244 Sovereign of the Seas US Maritime Comm. C2-S-B1 1157 29-Feb-44 Completed for Moore Dry Dock, sold 1948 as Agwidale, later Oriente, Jean and Oceanic Tide, scrapped 1969
245 White Swallow US Maritime Comm. C2-S-B1 1158 Apr-44 Completed for Moore Dry Dock, sold 1948 as Mormacowl, later Old Westbury, scrapped 1969
 246P Burton Island AG 88 28-Dec-46 AGB 1 1949, to USCG 1966 as WAGB 283, scrapped 1980
 247P Edisto   AG 89   20-Mar-47 AGB 2 1949, to USCG 1966 as WAGB 284, scrapped 1980