Florence J.

Above: Oil service vessel Florence J. just before launch. Below: just after launch, tug Stinson alongside.
Career
Name:	Florence J.
Launched:	1913 or 1914
In service:	1913
Identification:	US registry # 211771
General characteristics
Type:	oil service vessel
Tonnage:	49 gross; 33 regist.
Length:	72 ft (21.95 m)
Beam:	19.8 ft (6.04 m)
Depth:	5.7 ft (1.74 m)
Installed power:	gasoline engine, 80 hp (60 kW)
Propulsion:	propeller

Florence J. was a small gasoline-powered vessel built in 1913 or 1914 at Dockton, Washington. The vessel is chiefly remembered for having capsized immediately upon being launched.

Career

Florence J. was built to replace the Rene, then owned by Union Oil Service and running on Puget Sound.^[1] The vessel was equipped with an 80-horsepower (60 kW) Frisco Standard gasoline engine.^[1] Florence J. is reported to have propeller driven vessel, 72 ft (21.95 m), 19.8 ft (6.04 m) width, and 5.7 ft (1.74 m) depth of hold, 49 gross tons, 33 registered tons.^[2] Florence J. is also reported to have been launched in1914.^[1]

Launching

Florence J. is chiefly known for the major failure accompanied the launching of the vessel, which was recorded by the important Puget Sound maritime photographer Asahel Curtis.

Name change

In 1920 the vessel's name is recorded as having been changed to Despatch No. 5.^[3]

Notes

References

• Newell, Gordon R., ed., H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest, Superior Publishing (1966)
• U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, Bureau of the Statistics, Annual list of Merchant Vessels of the United States (for the year ending 1913)
• Department of Commerce, Bureau of Navigation, Seagoing Vessels of the United States (1920).