MV Fernstream
On December 11, 1952, the SS Hawaiian Rancher, a cargo vessel of 8,353 gross tons, was inbound in San Francisco Bay and proceeding to an anchorage. The MV Fernstream departed the north side of pier 22 at 6:52 a.m. and was outbound with a crew of 42 and 11 passengers proceeding to sea for Manila, Philippines. Fernstream was fully loaded with 6,378 tons of cargo that consisted of primarily soy beans; the balance being general cargo and mail. The weather was foggy with visibility less than a half mile; the sea calm. Both vessels were sounding regulation fog signals; their respective radars manned by competent personnel. It wasn't long before errors in judgment of course and speed were made and both vessels collided at 7:30 a.m. off Lime Point Lighthouse. The vessels collided at an angle of approximately 20 degrees. The port bow and stern of Hawaiian Rancher first came in contact with the portside of the Fernstream just abaft the bridge, damaging one of Fernstream's lifeboats and superstructure. It penetrated the hull at the after part of the engine room, damaging the watertight bulkhead to No. 4 hold. The bow of the Hawaiian Rancher withdrew from the hole in the Fernstream and within a few seconds Fernstream sank, all 53 were saved.
MV Fernstream fact sheet
Present day photo of Lime Point and former lighthouse structure where the MV Fernstream and SS Hawaiian Rancher collided on December 11, 1952.
Credit: Robert V. Schwemmer, NOAA
Coda Octopus 3-D Echoscope sonar images of the shipwreck MV Fernstream.
Credit: Coda Octopus/NOAA
Multibeam sonar image at San Francisco's Golden Gate highlighting the shipwrecks City of Rio de Janeiro, City of Chester and Fernstream.
Credit: Gary Fabian for NOAA
Coda Octopus 3-D Echoscope sonar image of the shipwreck MV Fernstream, view looking north. The bow is located to the left in red, with the stern to the right in dark blue, which is the highest relief of the shipwreck remains on the seafloor.
Credit: Coda Octopus
Coda Octopus 3-D Echoscope sonar image of the shipwreck MV Fernstream, looking south. The bow is located to the right in red, with the stern to the left in dark blue. A severe breach in the starboard hull forward of the bridge-house is visible.
Credit: Coda Octopus
Freighter MV Fernstream moored at the dock in San Francisco, California.
Credit: San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park P82-019a.4183x (SAFR 19106)
Freighter MV Fernstream underway.
Credit: Robert Schwemmer, Maritime Library
MV Fernstream's bow still visible above the water just before sinking off Lime Point Lighthouse in San Francisco Bay after the collision with the SS Hawaiian Rancher.
Credit: Robert Schwemmer, Maritime Library
MV Fernstream survivors; officers, crewmen and passengers in lifeboats under tow by U.S. Coast Guard cutter while a U.S. Army tug stands by.
Credit: Robert Schwemmer, Maritime Library
MV Fernstream survivors; officers, crewmen, and passengers disembarking lifeboats at Fort Mason.
Credit: Robert Schwemmer, Maritime Library
MV Fernstream survivors receiving warm beverages at Fort Mason.
Credit: San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park P82-019a.5295x
SS Hawaiian Rancher moored at the dock in San Francisco, the bow appeared only slightly damaged.
Credit: San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park P88-051.300x safr 18463
SS Hawaiian Rancher survived the collision with the MV Fernstream. Under its own power, the Matson Navigation Company owned freighter steams towards San Francisco.
Credit: San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park P88-051.301plsafr 18463
