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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USAV City of San Rafael (FS-542)


Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
Freight-Supply Vessel
  • Built in 1924 by James Robertson, Alameda, CA. as the sidewheel wooden ferry City of San Rafael for the Richmond and San Rafael Ferry & Transportation Co., San Francisco, CA.
  • Launched, in 1924
  • City of San Rafael provided passenger and automobile ferry service between Richmond and San Rafael
  • City of San Rafael was laid up at Richmond in 1938
  • In 1942 she broke loose from her moorings and drifted in San Pablo Bay until grounding near Richmond, declared a total lose
  • In 1943 the U.S. Army acquired the City of San Rafael and rebuilt her
  • Retired from Army service, date unknown
  • Put to work on the Martinez/Benicia line, date unknown
  • Retired in 1956 with closure of the ferry service between the two cities
  • Sold in 1957 to a private party with plans to turn her into a restaurant, near completed, used as a residence for several years
  • Final Disposition, in 1980 condemned as a fire hazard and dismantled
    Specifications:
    Displacement 484 gross tons
    Length 172'
    Beam 37'
    Draft 13'
    Speed unknown
    Freight Capacity unknown
    Complement unknown
    Armament unknown
    Propulsion
    one 650hp reciprocating steam engine
    boiler(s)
    two sidewheels
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    FS-542
    300754201    		 63k Post Card of the City of San Rafael underway.
    Wikipedia    		 John Spivey
    There is no history record available for City of San Rafael (FS-542) at NavSource
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 14 April 2023