In its original, unaltered, and fully operational condition, as well as a National Historic and Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the “lucky” S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien is one of the three surviving emergency cargo vessels of the type EC2-S-C1. Built during World War II and better known as a Liberty Ship, there were 2,710 constructed; the largest fleet of single-class ships ever built.
Based on a 19th Century British tramp steamer, the design stressed minimal cost, rapidity of construction, and simplicity of operation. She was built in 56 days by the New England Shipbuilding Corporation in their West yard, South Portland, Maine. Her 2,500 horsepower, triple-expansion steam engine powered the 441-foot-long vessel carrying 10,000 tons of cargo to a maximum speed of 11 knots.
During WWII, the O’Brien was operated by Grace Line for the War Shipping Administration. She carried all manner of general cargo including, ammunition, grain, and other dry goods from the United States to Great Britain and ports in South America, Australia, India, China, and The Philippines.
Most notably, she took part in Operation Overlord in support of the June 6th, 1944 D-Day invasion of Normandy. After the War, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien was placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay in Benicia, CA, just Northeast of San Francisco. On October 6th, 1979, she was pulled to be restored and preserved as a fully functioning museum ship.
Her namesake was a feisty Irishman, Jeremiah O’Brien of Machias, Maine, who led the first action at sea against the British in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War by capturing their armed sloop the HMS Margaretta, along with two supply vessels. Notably, this action was undertaken prior to the formation of the United States Navy later that same year.
Explore this Station's Gallery
Proceed down the pier to learn about the pivotal role played by Liberty Ships in the Allied victory of WWII.