SS City of Chester
Arriving from Asia, the RMS. Oceanic while entering the harbor of San Francisco collided with the steamship SS City of Chester that was en-route to Eureka, California. The collision took place on the foggy morning of August 22, 1888, at the inner entrance to San Francisco between Fort Point and the land opposite Lime Point. The sea was calm and a flood tide had been running in for about 4 hours with a rip tide off Fort Point. Oceanic's crew first spotted the City of Chester through the fog off their starboard bow about a half mile away on a collision course. The vessels did not reverse engines. An attempt was made to pass port to port, and Oceanic was put hard to starboard. City of Chester's course change was slow due to the flood and rip tides. By the time both vessels reversed engines it was too late, Oceanic's bow plunged 10 feet into the Chester's forward port quarter, 30 feet aft of the bow. Oceanic's bow remained in the breach in an attempt to keep City of Chester afloat, but with hull damage below the waterline she sank 6 minutes later taking the lives of 16 men, women and children.
SS City of Chester fact sheet
Hundreds of shipwrecks including the SS City of Rio de Janeiro have occurred at the entrance to the Golden Gate and offshore waters now managed by the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, as recorded by George Davidson of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Credit: NOAA Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
Post-processed Coda Octopus Echoscope sonar data provides scientists with 3-D model of the shipwreck SS City of Chester, a method used for site characterization and taking detailed measurements of the wreck.
Credit: Coda Octopus
Survey for shipwreck SS City of Chester, U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey (cropped) Chart 1888.
Credit: NOAA Office of Coast Survey
Bay Marine Services LLC, research vessel Eaglet inside the Golden Gate entrance, with Hibbard Inshore LLC Saab Sabertooth Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) equipped with Coda Octopus 3-D Echoscope sonar on the stern. Preparing to launch the Saab down to the shipwreck site of SS City of Chester.
Credit: Robert V. Schwemmer, NOAA
Bay Marine Services LLC’ research vessel Eaglet preparing to launch the Hibbard Inshore LLC Saab Sabertooth Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) equipped with Coda Octopus 3-D Echoscope sonar at the shipwreck site of the SS City of Chester.
Credit: Kevin Tweed Bay Marine Services LLC
Bay Marine Services LLC’ research vessel Eaglet after deploying the Hibbard Inshore LLC Saab Sabertooth Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) / Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) equipped with Coda Octopus 3-D Echoscope sonar.
Credit: Robert V. Schwemmer, NOAA
Coda Octopus 3-D Echoscope sonar images of the shipwreck SS City of Chester.
Credit: Coda Octopus/NOAA
Coda Octopus 3-D Echoscope sonar, downward view of the shipwreck SS City of Chester with sternpost, (left side of sonar image) compound steam engine and boilers (in blue middle of sonar image), and bow (right side of sonar image).
Credit: Coda Octopus/NOAA
Coda Octopus 3-D Echoscope sonar, downward view of the shipwreck SS City of Chester, collision point of the RMS Oceanic just aft of the port bow (left side of sonar image). Twin steam boilers in blue (right side of sonar image).
Credit: Coda Octopus/NOAA
SS City of Chester, owned by Oregon Railway & Navigation Co., chartered to Pacific Coast Steamship Company when lost.
Credit: San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park K01.2.571PL
Robert Gilbert painting (circa 1890) of SS City of Chester sinking after collision with the RMS Oceanic in 1888 off the Golden Gate entrance.
Credit: San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park SAFR 3753
SS City of Chester Wreck Report describing the loss of the vessel circa 1888.
Credit: National Archives and Records Administration at San Francisco Record Group 36
