View source for SS Eurana

{{Short description|American steam cargo ship, active 1916-1942}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}

{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=NH 70457.tif
|Ship caption=SS ''Eurana'', wearing neutrality markings, prior to U.S. entry into World War I
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[United States]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United States|1918}}
|Ship name=*''Eurana'' (1916–1930)
*''Alamar'' (1930–1942)
|Ship namesake=Eurana Schwab
|Ship owner=*Walker Armstrong & Co.(1916–1917)
*The Nafra Co. (1917–1919)
*[[Green Star Line]] (1920–1923)
*Planet Steamship Co. (1923–1930)
*[[Calmar Steamship Company|Calmar Steamship Corp.]] (1930–1942)
|Ship operator=*Southland Steamship Corp. (1916–1917)
*The Nafra Line (1917)
*Imperial Shipping Co. (1919–22)
|Ship registry=*[[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] (1916–1920)
*[[New York City|New York]] (1920–1942)
|Ship route=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Union Iron Works]], [[San Francisco]]
|Ship original cost={{US$|750,000|long=no}}<ref name="tacoma-1915" />
|Ship yard number=121
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=4 June 1915
|Ship launched=11 September 1915
|Ship sponsor=*Eurana Schwab
*Mrs. John McGregor
|Ship christened=
|Ship completed=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship maiden voyage=3 February 1916
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship refit=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship identification=*US [[official number]] 213861
*[[code letters]] LFRS (1916–1933)
*{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}{{ICS|Romeo}}{{ICS|Sierra}}
*[[Maritime call sign|call sign]] WCCF (1934–1942)
*{{ICS|Whiskey}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=
|Ship honors=
|Ship captured=
|Ship fate=Sunk, 27 May 1942
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=title
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1918}}
|Ship name=USS ''Eurana''
|Ship operator=*[[U.S. Navy]] (1918–1919)
|Ship acquired=13 September 1918
|Ship commissioned=13 September 1918
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=9 October 1919
|Ship identification=SP-1594
|Ship fate=Returned to owners 9 October 1919
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=
|Ship type=[[Cargo ship]]
|Ship tonnage=*{{GRT|5915}} (1915–1920)
*{{GRT|5689}} (1920–1942)
*{{NRT|3579}} (1915–1920)
*{{NRT|3516}} (1920–1942)
*{{DWT|9450}}
|Ship displacement=
|Ship propulsion=[[General Electric Co.|General Electric]] [[Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbine]], [[Gear ratio#Double reduction gear|double reduction geared]] to one [[Propeller (marine)|screw]]
|Ship power={{cvt|2600|ihp}}, 498 [[Nhp]]
|Ship length={{convert|399.7|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|56.2|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth={{convert|30.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed={{convert|12+1/2|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*'''During WWI'''
* 2 x [[4-inch/40-caliber gun|{{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on|0}} naval guns]]
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''''Eurana''''' was a [[steamboat|steam]] [[cargo ship]] built on [[speculation]] in 1915 by [[Union Iron Works]] of [[San Francisco]]. While under construction, the ship was acquired by Frank Duncan McPherson Strachan to operate in the Atlantic trade for his family's Strachan Shipping Company. The vessel made several trips between the Southeast of the United States and Europe before being sold to the Nafra Steamship Company in 1917. The freighter then entered the Mediterranean trade where she remained until September 1918 when she was requisitioned by the [[Emergency Fleet Corporation]] and transferred to the [[United States Navy]] to transport military supplies prior to the end of [[World War I]], and as a troop transport after the war's end. In October 1919, the ship was returned to Nafra, which was then being reorganized to become the [[Green Star Line#Origin and Nafra Steamship Company|Green Star Steamship Company]]. In 1923, ''Eurana'' and twelve other ships passed to the [[Green Star Line#Debt and Planet Steamship Corporation|Planet Steamship Company]], newly formed to receive them from Green Star's bankruptcy. The ship remained principally engaged in the West Coast to East Coast trade for the next seven years. In 1930, together with several other vessels, ''Eurana'' was purchased by the [[Calmar Steamship Corporation]], and renamed '''''Alamar'''''. The ship continued carrying various cargo between the East and West Coasts of the United States through 1941. On 27 May 1942, while ''en route'' from [[Hvalfjörður|Hvalfjord]] to [[Murmansk]] carrying [[lend-lease]] war materiel to the [[Soviet Union]] during World War II as part of [[Arctic convoys of World War II|Arctic]] [[Convoy PQ 16|convoy PQ-16]], she was fatally damaged by German aircraft bombs and was consequently [[Scuttling|scuttled]] by a British submarine to prevent her from becoming a menace to navigation.

==Design and construction==
Early in 1915 [[James Rolph Jr.]], mayor of San Francisco and owner of the two shipping companies Rolph, Hind & Company and Rolph Coal and Navigation Company, placed an order with Union Iron Works to build a new vessel of approximately 9,000 [[deadweight tonnage|tons]]. With [[German Empire|Germany]] conducting [[unrestricted submarine warfare]] in early parts of 1915, European ship-owners suffered considerable shipping losses. As a result, the prices for new and existing ships and freight fees skyrocketed, prompting some entrepreneurs to enter the highly speculative shipbuilding business. In anticipation of increasing demand for vessels, Union Iron Works decided to build two ships of the same design and size instead of one.

On 1 June 1915, with much fanfare, Rolph himself drove the first [[rivet]] fastening the [[keel]] of his vessel, to be named ''Annette Rolph''.<ref name="sfexaminer-1915">{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=2 June 1915 |page=17 |title=Rolph Rivets His New Ship. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83822195/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> A few days later Union Iron Works laid the keel for her yet unnamed sister ship. On 11 September 1915, Eurana Schwab, wife of [[Charles M. Schwab]], pressed a button in her house in [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]] and the electrically operated guillotine cut the cord releasing the vessel into the water.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=12 September 1915 |page=10 |title=Woman In East Starts S.F. Ship. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83818375/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref name=miramar>{{csr |register=MSI |id=2213861 |shipname=Eurana |access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> Mrs. John McGregor, the wife of the president of the Union Iron Works, served as a local sponsor. As the ship slipped into the water, she was christened ''Eurana'' in honor of Mrs. Schwab. A few months later, in November 1915, while the new vessel was still under construction, she was purchased for ${{Format price|750000}} by shipping magnate Frank Duncan McPherson Strachan of [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]]<ref name="tacoma-1915" /> for use in the cotton trade between the [[southeastern United States]] and Europe.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=5 November 1915 |page=11 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83818854/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |title=Notables At Hotels. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Atlanta Constitution]] |date=17 November 1915 |page=6 |title=New Steamer Is Bought By Savannah Company. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83818958/the-atlanta-constitution/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

''Eurana'' was built on the [[three-island principle]] with fairly short [[well deck]]s both fore and aft. The ship had two main decks and was built using the [[Joseph Isherwood|Isherwood]] principle of [[longitudinal framing]], strengthening the body of the vessel. Her machinery was situated amidships and she also possessed all the modern cranes{{clarify|date=April 2022}} for quick loading and unloading of cargo. The vessel was equipped with a [[Lee de Forest|de Forest]]-type radio and had electric lights installed along the decks.

As built, the ship was {{convert|399.7|ft|m}} long ([[length between perpendiculars|between perpendiculars]]) and {{convert|56.2|ft|m}} [[beam (nautical)|abeam]], and had a depth of {{convert|30.5|ft|m}}.<ref name=uslist>{{cite book |title=List of Merchant Vessels of the United States For the Year Ended June 30, 1917 |page=107 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Government Printing Office |year=1918}}</ref> ''Eurana'' was assessed at {{GRT|5915}} and {{NRT|3579}} and had deadweight tonnage of approximately 9,450.<ref name=uslist/><ref name=miramar/> The vessel had a steel [[hull (watercraft)|hull]] and a single [[steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbine]] rated at {{convert|2600|ihp|lk=on}}, [[Gear train#Double reduction gear|double-reduction geared]] to a single screw propeller that moved the ship at up to {{convert|12+1/2|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name=uslist/> The steam for the engine was supplied by three [[Scotch marine boiler]]s fitted for oil fuel.

Sea trials were held on 16 January 1916 in the [[San Francisco Bay]], just off California City in Paradise Cove. The vessel made several runs on a measured mile reaching an average speed of {{convert|13.6|kn}}.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=17 January 1916 |page=15 |title=Has Trial Trip. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83819508/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Following successful completion of the trials, the vessel returned to Union Iron Works and her title was conveyed to her new owners, Walker Armstrong & Company.

==Operational history==
In December 1915, when nearing completion, ''Eurana'' was chartered by the Sperry Flour Company to transport a large cargo of [[flour]] to Europe.<ref name="tacoma-1915">{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=14 December 1915 |page=6 |title=New Steamer Fixed To Load Flour Here. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83819323/the-tacoma-daily-ledger/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> After being transferred to her owners, the ship loaded part of her cargo and sailed out from San Francisco on 20 January bound for [[Tacoma]] to load the remainder of her cargo.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=21 January 1916 |page=17 |title=Marine Exchange Shipping News.}}</ref> On her way north, ''Eurana'' tried to aid the [[schooner]] ''Centralia'' which was embattled by storms, but in the dark and foggy weather, ''Eurana''{{'s}} crew were unable to find the distressed vessel.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Star Tribune |date=23 January 1916 |page=1 |title=Schooner Sends S.O.S., But Can't Be Found. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83819445/star-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Upon arrival in Tacoma, ''Eurana'' loaded 8,850 long tons of flour bound for [[France]], the largest cargo to be sent there that year.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=24 January 1916 |page=6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83819690/the-tacoma-daily-ledger/ |title=Second Big Flour Cargo. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> The steamer finished loading on 3 February, and departed for France the same day, reaching [[Bordeaux]] on 21 April.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Times |date=4 February 1916 |page=1 |title=Record Flour Cargo Dispatched. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83820073/the-tacoma-times/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=25 April 1916 |page=6 |title=Arrivals And Departures.}}</ref> ''Eurana'' returned to [[Newport News]] on 31 May, successfully concluding her maiden voyage.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Baltimore Sun]] |date=1 June 1916 |page=11 |title=News of the Shipping.}}</ref> The freighter was then transferred to the control of a subsidiary of Walker Armstrong, the Southland Steamship Corporation,<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Manufacturers' Record |volume=LXIX |number=23 |page=64c |date=8 June 1916 |title=$5,000,000 Savannah Shipping Company.}}</ref> and proceeded to [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]]<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tampa Morning Tribune |date=6 June 1916 |page=9 |title=Movement Of Vessels}}</ref> and then Savannah where she embarked a large cargo of various southern goods, such as [[rosin]], [[turpentine]], [[pig iron]], [[tobacco]], [[lumber]] and [[cotton]], and departed for [[Liverpool]].<ref name="atlanta-constitution-1916">{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Atlanta Constitution]] |date=17 June 1916 |page=6 |title=Million-Dollar Cargo Leaves Savannah Port. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83820634/the-atlanta-constitution/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> On her return voyage, she was stopped by a German submarine for inspection, but was released after examination.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Brooklyn Daily Times]] |date=9 November 1916 |page=9 |title=Held Up By Submarine. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83920709/times-union/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> ''Eurana'' made three more trips to Europe, first with 8,200 tons of grain to [[Rotterdam]], then one to France with record cargo of cotton and other southern goods,<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=17 October 1916 |page=8 |title=Record Cargo For France. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83820891/the-wall-street-journal/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> and finally one to England in January 1917 also with cargo loaded at Jacksonville and Savannah.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Wilmington Dispatch |date=5 February 1917 |page=6 |title=Ships From Savannah Now Safe In Port. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83924035/the-wilmington-dispatch/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Upon return to the United States, ''Eurana'' was sold by her owners on 26 April 1917 to the Nafra Company for about {{US$|2750000|long=no}}.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=9 May 1917 |page=19 |title=Transfers Of Ownership. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83820967/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Hearings Before The Select Committee To Inquire Into The Operations, Policies, And Affairs Of The United States Shipping Board And The United States Emergency Fleet Corporation. Exhibits To Testimony, Part D (Exhibits 214 to 254, Inclusive). |year=1925 |publisher=Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C. |page=3683 |chapter=The Nafra Co.'s Purchase Of Three Vessels.}}</ref>

Nafra had recently entered into a contract with the Italian Government to transport 60,000 tons of metal from the United States to [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]]. As the company could not charter vessels at reasonable rates it decided to buy three steamers, including ''Eurana'', to fulfill the contract. ''Eurana'' managed to make two trips to Italy between May and October 1917, but on 12 October 1917, the [[United States Shipping Board]] (USSB) sent out a letter to all ship-owners advising them of imminent requisition of all vessels above 2,500 [[gross register tons]] for war purposes. Following a lengthy dispute, the requisition agreement was signed on 13 April 1918, and ''Eurana'' was placed under Shipping Board control on a [[Bareboat charter|bareboat]] basis. On 2 July 1918 the Shipping Board transferred ''Eurana'' to the [[United States Department of War|War Department]] and her trips to the Mediterranean ended.<ref>{{cite book |title=Hearings Before The Select Committee To Inquire Into The Operations, Policies, And Affairs Of The United States Shipping Board And The United States Emergency Fleet Corporation. Exhibits To Testimony, Part D (Exhibits 214 to 254, Inclusive). |year=1925 |publisher=Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C. |page=3734 |chapter=The Seventeen And One-Half Voyages Made After April 13, 1918.}}</ref>

===U.S. Navy service, World War I===
[[File:USS Eurana 1919.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|USS ''Eurana'', as she appeared in 1919]]
Following her transfer to the War Department, ''Eurana'' was acquired by the [[U.S. Navy]] on 13 September 1918 and officially commissioned on 21 September.<ref name="us-naval-vessels-1919">{{cite book |year=1919 |title=Ship's Data – U.S. Naval Vessels |location=Washington, DC |publisher=United States Government Printing Office |page=477}}</ref> The freighter was put under control of [[Naval Overseas Transportation Service]] (NOTS), renamed USS ''Eurana'' and assigned identification number SP-1594. She was also defensively armed with two [[4-inch/40-caliber gun|{{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on|0}} naval gun]]s. Her first trip under Navy control was as part of convoy HN-86 carrying [[tank]]s and military supplies.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Lyons Daily News |date=28 September 1918 |page=1 |title=Leonard Pulliam Has Sailed. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83951287/the-lyons-daily-news/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> After returning to New York on 24 February 1919,<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] |date=25 February 1919 |page=14 |title=Ship News.}}</ref> she was transferred to the Cruiser and Transport Force on 2 March 1919 and was thereafter used as a troop transport. On her next trip she returned home carrying 1,737 men of [[326th Infantry Regiment (United States)|326th Infantry]] and several "casuals", soldiers temporarily separated from their units, including [[Percy L. Jones]], commander of the American ambulance service with the French Army.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Spokesman Review |date=7 June 1919 |page=5 |title=Eurana Arrives With 1737 Men. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83936287/the-spokesman-review/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> ''Eurana'' sailed once more to France, returning to New York on 14 September,<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=16 September 1919 |page=2 |title=Movements Of Steamers.}}</ref> following which she proceeded to [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]] where she was decommissioned from the US Navy on 9 October 1919. Two weeks later, the [[Baltimore Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Company]] was awarded a contract for extensive repairs to ''Eurana'' following her naval service.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=25 October 1919 |page=11 |title=Port Paragraphs. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83936662/the-baltimore-sun/ |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

===Return to commercial service===
While ''Eurana'' was undergoing repairs, the Nafra Company was reorganized and incorporated, together with all its assets, into the newly formed Green Star Steamship Corporation.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=9 November 1919 |page=14 |title=Green Star Line To Operate. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83936779/the-baltimore-sun/ |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> After completion of repairs, ''Eurana'' was returned to her owners and sailed from Baltimore on 10 December 1919 for New York to load cargo bound for Italy.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=11 December 1919 |page=14 |title=Port Paragraphs. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83936919/the-baltimore-sun/ |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> After returning from Italy in February 1920, ''Eurana'' was reassigned to the [[Far East]] trade and proceeded to [[Baltimore]] and Savannah. She embarked a full cargo of [[phosphates]] and cotton and departed from Savannah on 9 March bound for [[Kobe]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=17 March 1920 |page=7 |title=Shipping.}}</ref> While underway, she experienced problems with her turbines, and had to put in into [[Honolulu]] for repairs.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |date=14 April 1920 |page=3 |title=Freighter Eurana Has First G.E. Turbines; War Record Fine One. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83967555/honolulu-star-bulletin/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> After quickly finishing the repairs, ''Eurana'' continued to her destination, reaching Kobe on 3 May.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=13 May 1920 |page=21 |title=Chronicle Shipping News.}}</ref> The ship returned uneventfully to New York, arriving on 5 August.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[New York Tribune]] |date=6 August 1920 |page=16 |title=Shipping News.}}</ref> Upon discharging her cargo, the steamer continued to Baltimore where she loaded 8,000 tons of steel and departed for [[Singapore]] on 21 September.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=22 September 1920 |page=19 |title=Shipping.}}</ref> While on this trip, she again developed problems with her turbines and boilers and was forced to call at Honolulu on 30 October.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=2 November 1920 |page=17 |title=Port Paragraphs. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83967975/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> This time the repairs took more than seven weeks<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |date=4 December 1920 |page=9 |title=Repairs On Trio Of Freighters Keeping Ship Mechanics Busy. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83968170/honolulu-star-bulletin/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> and the ship eventually left on 23 December. However, about 120 miles out of Honolulu, she developed further problems with her turbines and had to turn back.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |date=27 December 1920 |page=8 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83968415/honolulu-star-bulletin/ |title=Harbor Notes. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> It took more than a month to finish this third round of repairs and the freighter left port again on 4 February 1921.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |date=4 February 1921 |page=8 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83968776/honolulu-star-bulletin/ |title=Eurana Getting Away After Lengthy Tieup. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Before departure she went on an extended trial run to ensure all problems were resolved. On returning to harbor from the trial run, ''Eurana'' struck a pier, damaging her bow just above the waterline.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |date=5 February 1921 |page=3 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83968821/honolulu-star-bulletin/ |title=Eurana Damages Bow By Ramming Pier. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> The ensuing repairs took several more days, and the ship was finally able to depart on 10 February.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Honolulu Advertiser]] |date=11 February 1921 |page=12 |title=Eurana, After Much Pilikia, Finally Gets Away For Far East. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83968896/the-honolulu-advertiser/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> The vessel reached Singapore on 3 July after stopovers in [[Shanghai]] and [[Hong Kong]]. She then continued on to [[Surabaya|Sourabaja]] and from there to [[Colombo]] where she developed more problems, this time with leaking condenser tubes and her [[Boiler feedwater pump|feed pumps]] out of order.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[New York Herald]] |date=4 August 1921 |page=10 |title=Shipping News From All Parts Of The World. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83969071/new-york-herald/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Nevertheless, the vessel was able to proceed slowly to [[Aden]] where she was repaired and from there continue on to Europe via the [[Suez Canal]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[New York Tribune]] |date=17 August 1921 |page=17 |title=Maritime Miscellany. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83969136/new-york-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> ''Eurana'' finally returned to New York on 14 May 1922, finishing a nearly 20-month, trouble-filled, round-the-world journey.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[New York Tribune]] |date=15 May 1922 |page=20 |title=Marine Reports. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83969258/new-york-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

By the time ''Eurana'' returned to the East Coast, her owners, the Green Star Steamship Corporation, were financially strained, and feeling the effects of a shipping crisis that had begun the prior year. The company had attempted a rapid expansion, acquiring close to forty vessels and incurring large debts. As business dried up and many ships were forced to be either laid up or sit idle in ports, the company defaulted on its debts and after a two-year-long struggle to get help from USSB, it was forced into receivership and sold its assets. Many vessels remained idle during this time, but in June 1922, Steele Steamship Company announced their intention to acquire seven of the ships for the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to Pacific trade.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=24 June 1922 |page=22 |title=Steele Line Buys 7 Green Star Ships. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83969383/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> That plan failed to materialize, as a subsequent rate war made profits from that route unlikely.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=4 December 1922 |page=19 |title=Along The Waterfront. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83984975/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |access-date=23 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

===Planet Steamship Corporation===
In February 1923, the newly formed Planet Steamship Corporation took over the remaining assets of the Green Star Line. The new company acquired seven vessels including ''Eurana'' at two [[US Marshal]]'s auctions with an intent to put them into West Coast to East Coast trade.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=9 March 1923 |page=26 |title=News Of The Ships And Shipping Men. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57166540/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

''Eurana'' remained idle until late July when she was finally put into action and departed New York with almost 8,500 tons of general cargo and steel bound for [[Seattle]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Panama Canal Record |title=Movements Of Ocean Vessels. |volume=XVII |number=1 |page=2 |date=15 August 1923}}</ref> After stopovers at [[San Pedro, Los Angeles|San Pedro]] and San Francisco, the vessel reached her destination on 13 September, and upon discharging the cargo proceeded to Tacoma, [[Everett, Washington|Everett]] and [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] to load more than 5,000,000 [[board feet|feet]] of lumber.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma News Tribune |date=21 September 1923 |page=20 |title=Checkered Career Was Vessel's Lot. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83970019/the-news-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=22 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>
The vessel reached [[Boston]] on 1 November, successfully completing her first trip under new ownership. ''Eurana'' continued sailing mainly on the East to West Coast route through the end of 1929, often carrying steel and steel products and general cargo on her westward journeys under charter to the [[Isthmian Steamship Company]]. On one her typical trips, in September 1926, she was laden with 1,000 tons of iron pipe for the Union Oil Company.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=San Pedro News-Pilot |date=14 September 1926 |page=5 |title=Discharges Pipe. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84109150/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> On her eastward trips she carried lumber, canned fish, fruit and other general cargo from ports of the [[Pacific Northwest]] and [[California]].

In June 1924 when navigating up the [[Columbia River]], the steamer's steering gear failed and she ran aground suffering minor damage to her hull.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=26 June 1924 |page=33 |title=Patterson Will Be On Nicholson Run In A Month. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84092269/oakland-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> In October 1924 she made her first trip to the [[United Kingdom]], carrying lumber, lumber products, cotton and canned goods to [[London]] and [[Liverpool]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=19 October 1924 |page=37 |title=Sailing Sunday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84139686/the-tacoma-daily-ledger/ |via=[[newspapers.com]] |access-date=25 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=San Pedro News Pilot |date=8 November 1924 |page=13 |title=Port Notes. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84134652/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=25 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> On her return trip, she ran into a severe storm and sprang a leak in her forward compartment but was able to stay afloat and safely make it to Boston.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=29 January 1925 |page=12 |title=Port Of Boston. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84095313/the-boston-globe/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Upon finishing repairs the ship again sailed to the West Coast where she loaded another cargo for United Kingdom, this time carrying grain in addition to lumber and other merchandise.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Province|The Daily Province]] |date=20 March 1925 |page=30 |title=B. W. Greer Is Expecting Five Ships This Month. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84095447/the-province/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

In December 1925 ''Eurana'' made her only trip to [[Hawaii]] bringing general cargo, including 11,000 pounds of empty bottles.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun|The Evening Sun]] |date=4 December 1925 |page=18 |title=Cuba Is Restocking Her Bottle Supply. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84095861/the-evening-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> On her way back the vessel carried large shipment of pineapples to San Francisco, and then proceeded to [[Puget Sound]] to load her usual cargo of lumber, copper and other general cargo for delivery to the East Coast.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=8 January 1926 |page=42 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84109274/oakland-tribune/ |title=Freighter Line Opens Offices Of Its Own Here. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=27 February 1926 |page=4 |title=Port Of Boston. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84096325/the-boston-globe/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> In April 1926 while on her usual trip to the West Coast with general cargo and steel, ''Eurana'' hit a reef near the entrance of the Panama Canal, but suffered only minor damage and was able to continue on her trip.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=21 April 1926 |page=28 |title=Eurana Strikes Reef Nearing Panama Canal. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84096397/oakland-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

====Collision with the Second Narrows Bridge====
''Eurana'' arrived at the Puget Sound ports in late February 1927 and upon discharging her cargo proceeded to [[Port Alberni, British Columbia|Port Alberni]] to load lumber destined for the East Coast.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Daily Province |date=25 February 1927 |page=28 |title=Marine Notes.}}</ref> She continued to [[New Westminster, British Columbia|New Westminster]] and [[Vancouver, British Columbia|Vancouver]], loading lumber at each port. On the evening of 10 March 1927 the ship departed [[Dollarton, British Columbia|Dollarton]] laden with more than 4,000,000 feet of lumber and was proceeding down the [[Burrard Inlet]] to load a remaining 800,000 feet of lumber at [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Victoria Daily Times |date=10 March 1927 |page=8 |title=S.S. Eurana Will Arrive Tomorrow. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84290931/times-colonist/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=28 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> The ship was piloted by captain Walter Wingate, an experienced local pilot.

Shortly after 18:00 the vessel appeared in view of the [[Second Narrows Bridge]], a [[bascule bridge]] built in 1925 across the Burrard Inlet, connecting [[East Vancouver]] to [[North Vancouver (city)|North Vancouver]]. As the ship was closing in, the bascule gate was opened and ''Eurana'' headed straight for it. When approximately 400 feet away from the bridge, the freighter suddenly started shearing forcing the pilot to put engines [[Flank speed|full ahead]]. The vessel continued to swerve, and when it became obvious she would not be able to clear through the bridge, both anchors were dropped in an attempt to slow her down and mitigate the impact. While the starboard anchor held, the port one dragged, swinging the vessel further north and at approximately 18:15 ''Eurana'' struck the bridge approximately 60 feet north of the bascule gate. As the freighter crashed into the bridge, her forward upper works, derricks, the forward mast, the bridge house and chartroom were sheared off, and the ship came to rest with the east side of the bridge nearly touching her funnel. The bridge's east footwalk was destroyed but the bridge held and its west side was undamaged.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The daily Province |date=11 March 1927 |page=1 |title=Freighter Hits Span At Narrows. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84116350/the-province/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref name=q>{{cite news |newspaper=The daily Province |date=11 March 1927 |page=26 |title=Freighter Hits Span At Narrows. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84116462/the-province/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

Salvage tugs worked to free the damaged vessel, as she was entangled with the bridge and the rising tide threatened to break the vessel in two. After nearly two hours of salvage work, ''Eurana'' was freed and was towed to the eastern anchorage at approximately 20:35.<ref name=q/> The ship and the bridge were surveyed following the accident and the damage to the bridge was estimated at {{US$|10000|long=no}} and to the vessel at {{US$|25000|long=no}}.

On 13 March ''Eurana'' was towed to Seattle to undergo repairs, with her owners posting bonds as the bridge owners voiced their intent to [[Libel (admiralty law)|libel]] the ship for damages.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Victoria Daily Times |date=12 March 1927 |page=8 |title=Steamship Eurana Will be Libeled. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84117125/times-colonist/ |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Victoria Daily Times |date=14 March 1927 |page=8 |title=Eurana Now Being Repaired On Sound. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84117366/times-colonist/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Daily Province |date=15 March 1927 |page=13 |title=Ship Owners Post Bonds For Damage. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84117824/the-province/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> The repairs took two weeks to finish and cost approximately {{US$|77000|long=no}}. On 2 April 1927 ''Eurana'' returned to Victoria to finish loading her cargo.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Victoria Daily Times |date=2 April 1927 |page=8 |title=Marine Notes. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84117955/times-colonist/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

While the ship returned to her usual responsibilities, the bridge owners filed a libel case, alleging improper navigation and seeking compensation in the amount of approximately {{US$|7800|long=no}}. The ship owners filed a counterclaim alleging that the bridge was poorly designed, as it was not tall enough and the bascule gate was not in the middle of the stream, which impeded water flow and created dangerous eddy currents during tides.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Victoria Daily Times |date=26 September 1928 |page=25 |title=Narrows Span Case In Court. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84123365/the-province/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> The pilot, Captain Wingate, testified for ''Eurana''{{'}}s owners, describing the accident and explaining how the bridge design affected the tidal currents.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Victoria Daily Province |date=27 September 1928 |page=15 |title=Fill Affects Tidal Flow. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84123778/the-province/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Two more local captains testified agreeing with captain Wingate that the bridge was not properly designed and was a menace to navigation.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |date=28 November 1928 |page=1 |title=Narrows Called Menace. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84124052/the-vancouver-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> In addition, ''Eurana''{{'}}s owners claimed the bridge's construction deviated from its legislature-approved blueprints, and was therefore constructed illegally.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Daily Province |date=3 December 1928 |page=10 |title=Says Bridge Not Of Original Plan. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84124169/the-province/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> In April 1929, the court dismissed both of the competing claims, finding that ''Eurana'' was navigating properly and that the bridge was built legally and was not a menace to navigation.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Daily Province |date=22 April 1929 |page=24 |title=Bridge And Ship Claims Dismissed. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84124611/the-province/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

While the court case was under way, ''Eurana'' continued operating on her usual route. In August 1928 when leaving Baltimore, her steering gear failed and she ran aground. After being refloated, she was towed to anchorage where she was struck in the stern by [[Munson Steamship Line|Munson]] steamer {{SS|Munlisto|1919|6}}. Neither vessel suffered significant damage and each was able to continue on its respective journey.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=11 August 1928 |page=5  |title=Local Port News And Ship Activity. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84122653/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> The repairs to ''Eurana''{{'}}s steering gear were done at the Port of Oakland upon arrival there.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=19 September 1928 |page=27 |title=Steering Gear Trouble. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84122948/oakland-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> ''Eurana'' was then selected by Planet Steamship Company to sail directly between the Puget Sound and [[Belfast]] and [[Dublin]] in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=16 September 1928 |page=49 |title=To Load For Ireland. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84122897/the-tacoma-daily-ledger/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

====Sinking of SS ''Dorothy''====
''Eurana'' departed Baltimore on 31 August 1929, partially loaded, headed for New York to pick up the remainder of her cargo.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Baltimore Sun]] |date=1 September 1929 |page=26 |title=Port Of Baltimore.}}</ref> In the early morning hours of 1 September 1929 the ship was proceeding slowly down the [[Chesapeake Bay]] under control of pilot Willard Wade. At the same time, [[A. H. Bull Steamship Company|A. H. Bull]] steamer SS ''Dorothy'' was sailing with a full cargo of [[phosphate rock]] from [[Tampa]], bound for Baltimore. The night was clear with good visibility. Shortly after midnight, captain Olaf Andresen of ''Dorothy'' sighted ''Eurana'' and her green light about 2 miles off starboard side, and turned the wheel to starboard about half a point to give the incoming steamer more room to pass. Captain Andersen then saw both of ''Eurana''{{'}}s lights and turned the wheel to starboard side again.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Daily Press |date=5 September 1929 |page=1 |title=Skippers Accused Of Bad Judgement. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84128291/daily-press/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=25 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Daily Press |date=5 September 1929 |page=7 |title=Skippers Accused Of Bad Judgement. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84128216/daily-press/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=25 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Captain Wade, on the other hand, first sighted ''Dorothy'' about three and a half miles to his port side. Seeing the other steamer's port light, captain Wade turned the wheel to port side to give ''Dorothy'' more space to pass. He then too noticed the other ship showing both of her lights and ported the wheel more. Both Wade and the second officer claimed it appeared to them that ''Dorothy'' was zigzagging.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Daily Press |date=6 September 1929 |title=Pilot Says Eurana Was Under Control. |page=1 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84128694/daily-press/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=25 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Daily Press |date=6 September 1929 |title=Pilot Says Eurana Was Under Control. |page=7 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84128638/daily-press/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=25 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

As the ships continued maneuvering they found themselves just off Smith's Point at the mouth of the [[Potomac River]]. The vessels closed in and the collision became unavoidable. As ''Dorothy'' was cutting across ''Eurana''{{'}}s bow, captain Wade ordered to reverse the engines but it was too late and his ship's bow struck ''Dorothy'' amidships, opening a 10 foot hole in her hull, immediately flooding her engine compartment and shutting her engines down. Captain Wade tried to keep the ships together to prevent ''Dorothy'' from sinking, but eventually the ships came apart and approximately 45 minutes after the collision, at about 02:00, ''Dorothy'' turned over and sank. Thirty crewmembers of ''Dorothy'' were able to board ''Eurana'' by means of a rope ladder thrown over her bow. Two people were trapped inside of stricken steamer and went down with her. ''Eurana'' had her bow smashed but did not take on any water and was able to slowly proceed to [[Newport News]] for repairs and disembark the crew of ''Dorothy''.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=3 September 1929 |page=3 |title=Survivors Tell Of Ship Disaster. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84125517/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=25 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

The repairs took approximately two weeks to finalize and ''Eurana'' was able to leave Newport News on 18 September for [[Portland, Maine|Portland]] to finish loading her cargo.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|The Daily Press]] |date=19 September 1929 |page=4 |title=Along the Waterfront. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84129266/daily-press/ |access-date=25 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> The wreck of ''Dorothy'' was examined by divers who determined that the vessel was laying on her side in approximately {{convert|70|ft|m}} of water. Neither the owners nor the underwriters decided to attempt to salvage ''Dorothy''; the ship was declared a total loss and abandoned.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=21 September 1929 |page=19 |title=Local Port News And Ship Activity. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84349729/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=29 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

=== Calmar Steamship Corporation ===
In 1927, Bethlehem Steel founded Calmar Steamship Corporation as a [[wholly owned subsidiary]] company to transport steel and steel products from the company's steel mills in [[Maryland]] and [[Pennsylvania]] to the West Coast customers. Calmar exclusively transported Bethlehem's products westbound but served as a [[common carrier]] carrying lumber and other cargoes on their return voyages eastwards for a variety of shippers.<ref name="DMI">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r_jTIbdFUnYC&q=Calmar+Steamship+Corp&pg=PA90 |last=Blume |first=Kenneth J. |title=Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Maritime Industry. |pages=90–91 |year=2012 |publisher=The Scarecrow Press, Inc. |location=Lanham, Toronto, Plymouth U.K. |isbn=978-0-8108-5634-9}}</ref>

In November 1929 it was reported that Calmar placed a bid in the amount of {{US$|937,500|long=no}} for five steamers operated by Planet Steamship Corp., with ''Eurana'' being valued at {{US$|194,691|long=no}}.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=29 November 1929 |page=15 |title=Wants To Buy Five Freighters. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429105/the-boston-globe/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> Approximately two weeks later, the sale went through and all five vessels were sold to Calmar, increasing the size of their operational intercoastal fleet to eleven vessels.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=13 December 1929 |page=62 |title=Calmar Buys Ships. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429272/oakland-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=14 December 1929 |page=18 |title=Local Port News And Ship Activity. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429327/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> Following the sale all five new vessels were renamed according to Calmar Steamship's established naming pattern, where the names of the ships consisted of two parts, the prefix corresponding to a state, city or facility operated by Bethlehem Steel, and the second part consisting of word "-mar", an abbreviation for Maryland. Under this naming tradition, ''Eurana'' became ''Alamar'' in honor of [[Alameda, California|Alameda]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=24 December 1929 |page=18 |title=Rename Ships. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429411/oakland-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=27 December 1929 |page=13 |title=Calmar Line Names Five New Steamers. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429474/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> At the time of the sale, ''Eurana'' was on a voyage to United Kingdom, subsequently departing Liverpool on 18 January 1930 and reaching Baltimore on 6 February.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Baltimore Sun]] |date=7 February 1930 |page=17 |title=Port Of Baltimore.}}</ref> After unloading and repairs, the steamer was transferred to her new owners on 4 March.

''Alamar'' departed on her first voyage under new ownership on 22 March 1930 bound for West Coast ports via [[Philadelphia]] carrying full cargo of steel and hardware.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=23 March 1930 |page=10 |title=Port And Shipping News.}}</ref> The vessel arrived at Los Angeles on 20 April successfully completing her voyage under new name and ownership.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |date=21 April 1930 |page=10 |title=Arrivals And Departures.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Long Beach Sun |date=23 April 1930 |page=13 |title=Alamar On Dock. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84356718/the-long-beach-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=29 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> She continued serving this general route through the early part of 1941. On her westward journeys the ship carried steel, steel products and hardware for various ports along the West Coast. The freighter carried mainly lumber and lumber products eastwards on her return trips to the North Atlantic ports. For example, in December 1930 the ship carried well over 3,000,000 feet of lumber to the East Coast,<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=18 December 1930 |page=12 |title=Pacific Coast Marine Gossip. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84357731/the-tacoma-daily-ledger/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=29 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> and in July 1937 she delivered over 4,500,000 feet of lumber to Boston.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=28 July 1937 |title=Port Of Boston. |page=27 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84473145/the-boston-globe/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

In the early morning on 17 November 1932, ''Alamar'' was proceeding up the [[Delaware Bay]] towards Baltimore with her usual cargo of lumber. The weather was very foggy. When approximately 20 miles south of [[Newcastle, Delaware|Newcastle]] the freighter was suddenly struck on her port side by Cunard Line steamer SS ''Makalla'' who had left Philadelphia two hours earlier. The resulting collision completely demolished ''Alamar''{{'}}s forecastle, destroying the crew cabin and crushing one crewmember to death. Another crewmember, Walter Sandusky, a carpenter, was thrown from his bunk bed almost a hundred feet and landed in ''Makalla''{{'}}s hold, but only suffered minor injuries. ''Makalla'' had her bow stove in just above the waterline, and was towed by tugs to port while ''Alamar'' was able to proceed to her destination under her own power.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Brooklyn Times Union |date=17 November 1932 |page=20 |title=Freighter Sinks After Collision; Her Crew Saved. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84363347/times-union/ |access-date=29 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Evening Sun |date=17 November 1932 |page=34 |title=Baltimorean Hurt As Vessels Collide. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84363719/the-evening-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=29 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Daily News |date=18 November 1932 |page=1 |title=Damage to Makalla and Alamar.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84364037/daily-news/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=29 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Upon unloading her cargo, ''Alamar'' returned to Baltimore in early December to enter the drydock for repairs.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=12 December 1932 |page=3 |title=Here To Discrad Her "First-Aid Dressing". |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84364586/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=29 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> A few months later, in March 1933, while ''Alamar'' was berthed in San Pedro, Walter Sandusky died of alcohol poisoning after a night of drinking.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Wilmington Daily Press |date=10 March 1933 |page=8 |title=Employe Of Ship Is Found Dead By Police At Harbor. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84365912/wilmington-daily-press-journal/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=29 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=15 March 1933 |page=2 |title=Police End Death Inquiry Of Seaman. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84365971/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=29 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

Early in 1934 ''Alamar'' transported among other cargo 300 Studebaker automobiles from Philadelphia to the Pacific Coast dealers.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Elizabethville Echo |date=29 March 1934 |page=3 |title=Studebakers Go To Sea. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84468281/elizabethville-echo/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

During the night of 4–5 November 1935, ''Alamar'' was progressing down the Columbia River towards Portland after taking a partial lumber cargo at Vancouver. The vessel deviated from the channel too far to the Oregon side of the river and went aground on a sand bar.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Spokane Chronicle |date=5 November 1935 |page=2 |title=Pacific Steamer Mudges Sandbar. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84470518/spokane-chronicle/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Due to shortage of tugs, US Coast Guard cutter {{USCGC|Onondaga|WPG-79|2}} was dispatched to help to float the freighter, however, the first attempt on 7 November proved to be unsuccessful. The ship was successfully dislodged at higher tide later the same day and continued to her destination.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma News Tribune |date=7 November 1935 |page=13 |title=Ship Aground In Columbia. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84470602/the-news-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=8 November 1935 |page=26 |title=Freighter Alamar Pulled Off Sandbar. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84470666/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

In 1937 ''Alamar'' was involved in two accidents with other vessels. In the evening of 10 March, while on one of her regular trips, ''Alamar'' rammed and sunk San Francisco-based [[fishing trawler]] ''Normandie'' approximately thirteen miles off the entrance into [[Humboldt Bay]]. There were no casualties, as the crew was saved by another trawler, ''Wanderer''.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Spokane Chronicle |date=11 March 1937 |page=14 |title=Collision Sinks Fishing Trawler |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84471757/spokane-chronicle/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Times-Colonist |date=11 March 1937 |page=16 |title=Crew Safe After Sea Collision |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84471806/times-colonist/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> On 17 April, ''Alamar'' under command of Captain Ragnar Emanuel Nystrom was proceeding from Philadelphia to Sparrows Point drydock. As the vessel entered the harbor, just off [[Fort McHenry]], she tried to pass another steamer, SS ''City of Havre'', on her port side. At the same time, SS ''Yorktown'', a passenger liner on her passage from  Norfolk to Baltimore with close to 100 passengers under command of Captain Elliot, was attempting to overtake ''Alamar''. As ''Yorktown'' was gaining on ''Alamar'' she was forced towards the mid-channel by water compression near shore, while the freighter started executing her maneuver, turning into ''Yorktown''{{'}}s path. As the steamers were very close too each other, ''Yorktown'' struck ''Alamar'' on her port side roughly amidships. As a result of the collision, the passenger ship had her bow smashed and twisted and had one passenger injured, but was able to make port on her own. ''Alamar'' also suffered only minor damage and continued on to Sparrows Point for repairs.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Evening Sun |date=17 April 1937 |page=1 |title=S.S. Yorktown In Collision Of Fort M'Henry. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84472236/the-evening-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Evening Sun |date=17 April 1937 |page=14 |title=Bay Liner Collides With Freighter. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84472174/the-evening-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Evening Sun |date=21 April 1937 |page=36 |title=Blames Water Compression In Bay Ship Crash. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84472558/the-evening-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Evening Sun |date=21 April 1937 |page=16 |title=Tells Crash Probe Ship Ahead Veered. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84472633/the-evening-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref> Following a probe into the crash, both captains were suspended, Captain Elliot for 30 days and Captain Nystrom for 15, for unskillful navigation and inattention to duty.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Evening Sun |date=29 July 1937 |page=40 |title=Two Masters Suspended In Harbor Crash. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84473103/the-evening-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2021}}{{free access}}</ref>

The freighter returned to East Coast on her last peace-time trip in early July 1941 and went into dock for maintenance and repairs. At the same time, following the Emergency proclamation issued by President [[Franklin Roosevelt|Roosevelt]] on 27 May 1941, the vessel together with many other ships were chartered by the [[United States Maritime Commission|Maritime Commission]] for Red Sea service, which would allow the vessels under US flag to transport [[war materiel|war matériel]] and supplies acquired through [[lend-lease]] by the British War Ministry for British troops fighting in North Africa. ''Alamar'' loaded her cargo and sailed from New York on 26 July 1941 arriving in [[Port Sudan]] on 25 September via [[Cape Town]] and Aden. The freighter returned to New York on 24 January 1942 after picking up cargo at [[Calcutta]] and [[Colombo]].<ref name=AH-1>{{cite web |url=http://convoyweb.org.uk/ports/index.html?search.php?vessel=alamar~armain |title=Port Arrivals/Departures: Alamar |author=Arnold Hague Ports Database |website=Convoy Web |access-date=12 February 2022}}</ref>

''Alamar'' remained in Baltimore until 6 March 1942 when she was requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration and sailed to Philadelphia for loading.<ref name=MARAD>{{cite web |url=https://vesselhistory.marad.dot.gov/ShipHistory/Detail/12300 |title=ALAMAR |author=Maritime Administration |work=Ship History Database Vessel Status Card |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration |access-date=11 February 2022}}</ref> After embarking her wartime cargo of general supplies, ammunition and fuel in drums, the vessel proceeded to [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], a gathering port for all Atlantic convoys. The freighter then sailed from Halifax as part of convoy SC-77 bound for [[Reykjavík]] where she was to join one of the Arctic convoys to deliver lend-lease supplies to the [[Soviet Union]].<ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = SC | convoynumber = 77 | accessdate = 2 September 2021}}</ref> The ship was detached from the convoy and safely reached Iceland on 15 April and remained there for over a month waiting for ice floes to recede in the Northern Atlantic.

===Sinking===
Together with 34 other cargo vessels, ''Alamar'' departed [[Hvalfjörður|Hvalfjord]] on 21 May as part of convoy PQ-16.<ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = PQ | convoynumber = 16 | accessdate = 2 September 2021}}</ref> The vessel carried 6,762 tons of military cargo consisting of [[munition]]s, [[tank]]s, fuel, trucks and foodstuffs for the [[Red Army]].<ref name=rb>{{cite book |title=United States Merchant Marine Casualties of World War II |last=Browning, Jr. |first=Robert M. |publisher=McFarland |year=2011 |isbn=978-0786446001 |page=122}}</ref> She was under command of Captain Nystrom, had a crew of thirty six, and carried nine Navy gunners. Two days later the convoy was joined by its escorts. At approximately 19:00 on 23 May the convoy was spotted by a German reconnaissance plane at approximate position {{coord|67|0|N|11|30|W}}.<ref name=rn>{{cite book |title=The Royal Navy and the Arctic Convoys: A Naval Staff History |last=Llewellyn-Jones |first=Malcolm |publisher=Routledge |edition=1st |pages=48–49 |isbn=978-0415861779 |year=2014}}</ref> During the night of 23–24 May thick fog resulted in the convoy inadvertently separating into two groups, which were able to rejoin by the following night. At about 06:35 on 25 May, a [[Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor|Focke-Wulf Condor]] reconnaissance plane began shadowing the convoy. Later that evening the convoy was attacked unsuccessfully for the first time by a group of seven [[Heinkel He 111]] torpedo bombers from [[Luftwaffe]] bomber wing [[KG 30]] and six [[Junkers Ju 88]] long range bombers from [[KG 26]].<ref name=rn/> Two more unsuccessful air attacks followed during the night of 25 May and the evening of 26 May. At about 03:20 on 27 May, the convoy weathered a third unsuccessful attack, after which it altered its course to the southeast to avoid pack ice. At about 11:10, the convoy came under a massive attack, mostly by Ju-88 dive bombers.<ref name=rn/> At about 13:10 ''Alamar'' was hit on aft-deck by two bombs in quick succession setting the ship and her cargo on fire. ''Alamar'' started to take on water and soon developed a starboard list, forcing hasty but successful evacuation. 20–25 minutes later, ''Alamar'' was [[Scuttling|scuttled]] by a British submarine.<ref name=rb/> The crew was picked up by HMS ''Starwort'' {{HMS|Trident|N52|6}} and HMS ''St. Elsten'' approximately twelve hours later and were safely landed at [[Murmansk]] on 30 May 1942.<ref name=rb/><ref name=rn/>

The survivors from ''Alamar'' sailed from Murmansk for New York aboard another Calmar vessel, SS ''Massmar'', in [[Convoy QP 13]]. On 5 July 1942, while travelling in stormy weather with poor visibility, an escort and six merchant vessels including ''Massmar'' mistakenly entered the [[Northern Barrage]] minefield SN72, laid at the entrance to the [[Denmark Strait]].<ref name=icg>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lhg.is/english/eod/mines/ |title=Mines and Mine Laying in Iceland WWII |work=Icelandic Coast Guard |access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref> ''Massmar'' hit two mines near her #4 and #5 holds, forcing the passengers and crew to abandon ship in three lifeboats and three rafts. Soon after, two lifeboats capsized including one with sixty men on board. French corvette ''Roselys'' picked up the survivors after about thirty minutes. Twenty-two crewmen and four gunners from ''Alamar'' as well as seventeen crewmembers and five gunners from ''Massmar'' died from drowning and exposure.<ref name=rb1>{{cite book |title=United States Merchant Marine Casualties of World War II |last=Browning, Jr. |first=Robert M. |publisher=McFarland |year=2011 |isbn=978-0786446001 |page=173}}</ref> All the survivors, including twenty-three from ''Alamar'', were landed in Reykjavík.<ref name=rb1/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{1929 shipwrecks}}
{{May 1942 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eurana}}
[[Category:1915 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built by Union Iron Works]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United States]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German aircraft]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in May 1942]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Arctic Ocean]]
[[Category:Patrol vessels of the United States Navy]]