SS CATALINA and SS AVALON - The Big White Ships to Catalina Island

[cruisingthepastdotcom]

A great short video on the SS CATALINA and SS AVALON that use to sail to Catalina Island are available on youTUBE ---

You can also see a short history of these boats at

http://www.cruiselinehistory.com

[DocF]

Agree about the video.

 

The Avalon was built for Goodrich Transportation Company, the leading operator of passenger vessels on Lake Michigan. Built by Globe Iron Works, Cleveland, OH in 1891. Tonnage, 1606.66. Commandeered by the U. S. Government April 16, 1918. Renamed U. S. S. Blue Ridge. Part of the second and third tier staterooms removed at that time. Side ports or gangways sealed, fitted with surface condensers, etc. for ocean service. Part of bow removed to allow vessel to pass through the existing locks and canals to the Atlantic Ocean. Sold as surplus to William Wrigley. New upper works put on and taken to Pacific coast for operation from San Pedro to Catalina Island. Retired and scrapped 1959-60.

 

This was the last Goodrich boat to operate and one of the last two to exist. The Alabama, which was cut down to a barge in 1964 was the absolute last.

 

Doc:(

[Taxguy7]

A great short video on the SS CATALINA and SS AVALON that use to sail to Catalina Island are available on youTUBE ---

You can also see a short history of these boats at

http://www.cruiselinehistory.com

 

Thank you so much for posting the link.:D In 1950 our class had a "senior ditch day", but had to stay in the bounds of the school district. Catalina is in the Long Beach district, even had a school there.

We sailed the Big White with a dance band, and danced all the way over and back, and the ship was slow by todays standards.:) :)

Aside; a few years ago DW and I visited Long Beach and stayed in the Queen Mary, now a hotel. Cruising now has smaller but much nicer staterooms. DW couldn't even see out the portholes as they were too high.