The S.S. Pasley arrives in Yaquina Bay to be sunk circa 1950.
Concrete ships were constructed in both World War I and World War II when steel was in short supply. They were not wildly successful, as they were limited in deadweight and had a tendency to crack. (No concrete ships were built after the end of the wars.) Nevertheless they were extremely durable ships.
The S.S. C. W. Pasley and the S.S. Francois Hennebique, two concrete ships built in Tampa Florida by McCloskey and Company in 1944, have served as the foundations for the docks in Yaquina Bay, in Newport, Oregon for almost sixty years. The S.S. Francois Hennebique is apparently in good shape but the S.S. Pasley is cracking, shifting and oddly, leaking oil. (One might have though that tank cleaning was in order before converting the ship into a dock.) So 66 years after her keel was poured, the S.S. Pasley will be broken up and replaced by a more conventional pier.
I’m a little surprised that ferroconcrete ships were tried in WWII — as you say, they were not a great success in the previous war.
The “new and improved” WWII ships were said to be superior to the WWI ships but still couldn’t compete with steel. Definitely a war time oddity.
I have two small photos of the Charles Pasley taken in Sydney Harbour. My husband was 2nd engineer on that ship during WWII. Are you interested in the photos ? Kind regards, Inge Hartley
I am interested in the 2 photos of the CW Pasley in Sydney Harbour. My father was on the ship during WW2 and was in Sydney when the war ended.
am volunteer on SS Lane Victory, WWII merchant ship, doing a story for our Anchor Light, a membership paper, on Concrete ships of WWI and WWII
I would appreciate any personal stories sailing on concrete ships or 300 ppi photos you could email me, that could be included in my story, now or later date.
i am interested in any stories about the Pasley before 12-15-11 as i am giving a presentation on it with film this weekend in Oregon. i am the contractor who has completed demolishing of it recently. thanks,
am sure you have all info on Pasley that I found. Would love to have you story for our Concrete Ship article in membership paper.
or if you run across any who sailed the concrete ships would love to have their story or contact info
thanks jan ss lane victory,
I have the ships bell from the SS Pasley and would like to find a home for it. Does anyone know who might be interested?
Claudia-if you see this, there is a new maritime museum on the Newport Bayfront.
It is kind of sad to note the final demise of the CW Pasley. My father, Odd Berglund (Odd is common first name in Norway) was captain on the CW Pasley from August 10, 1945, to November 23, 1946. He joined a Norwegian flagged ship out of Norway in 1937, and could only return in 1947.
Hi All, if any of you are still picking up these emails, my father served on the Pasley as radio operator during WWII. He was torpedoed after they departed Ceylon for Fremantle, Australia and I believe that was the Pasley also. My Dad was Enda McNamara, he was Irish but had never been to the US. If any of you with connections to the ship would like to communicate with me, I would love to hear from you. Frank.
My father, Anthony Delise, served aboard the SS CW Pasley from 27 August 44 to 19 November 45. ANY INFORMATION concerning her voyages or photographs would be greatly appreciated.
My father died in 2003 and I am putting together his history for his grandchildren.
THANKS