Historic Hood River
SS Hood River
8-14-2012
Notes
Yes, yesterday’s image was a detail from the hull of the “SS Hood River,” a ship built with proceeds of Hood River County’s Fifth War Bond Drive. As you’ll see in coming days these war bond drives were big events in Hood River. This fifth drive netted over a million dollars, which earned Hood River’s name on this ship built at the Swan Island shipyard in Portland.
The SS Hood River was a tanker. It was later renamed the Caltex Cape Town, and plied the worlds oceans until 1967.
spinsur
a little more, albeit generic, info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Type_T2_tankers#H
l.e.
This will be all new history to me. I have heard of war bonds but have no idea how they worked.
I wonder if the person who painted the apple and Hood River even knew where Hood River was?
Norma
I am so impressed. What a tribute to Hood River. Now it would be a pear instead of an apple.
Arlen Sheldrake
And the war bond sales building (booth) that was located on the east side of the Butler Bank still exists out on Belmont; when I was growing up it was the pump house for our "farmette" sprinkler system.
The addition of the apple graphic is a nice touch, I wonder whose idea this was and if it was typical for ships financed by local bond sales…..glad to hear that the SS Hood River had a long life….many didn’t. Service on this slow "target" would not have been any fun cruise.
Is this a government photo Arthur?
Arthur
Arlen, we have an extensive series of 8x10s showing the ship and its dedication. I believe they were "official" government promotional images. Raising the money and building the ships was a real assembly line, and every step of the process was documented and used to promote more fund raising.
l.e.
I read once that part of the reason for building Bonneville Dam was cheap power for the industry of building ships and planes.
I don’t know if that is true but the Portland/Vancouver area definitely became a ship building area.
Arlen Sheldrake
Thanks Arthur. Glad to hear that the Museum has more photos of the SS Hood River. It would be interesting to see a picture of the dedication and a roster of the Hood River folk who all attended the Swan Island event in Portland.
I have a vague memory of the bond sales program and the small booklets that one would put the bond stamps in until you had a full book and could turn it in and get a bond. Thus as you say Arthur, even kids were a part of the "assembly line" effort.
Kevin Widener
Another ship with a local landmark was the ammunition ship USS Mount Hood. It met a disastrous end off Manus Island in Papua New Guinea when it exploded. All were lost save a few who where ashore at the time.
Kevin Widener
More info on USS Mount Hood:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mount_Hood_%28AE-11%29
l.e.
Thanks Kevin for the link.
Terrible story, but glad I know about it.
Arlen Sheldrake
Yes, thanks for the link/tip about the USS Mount Hood. Quite the terrible story including all the safety failures including the error in where it was anchored.
Michael
My grandfather served on that ship during the second World War
james l lee
I think my dad crewed on the HR and saw service in the Phillipine Islands , WW II He is long deceased… Can you help me??
Jeff Job
My father served in the Merchant Marines on the tanker Hood River. He left us an empty Gin bottle with the signatures of the Hood River crew signed by them on V Day.
Arthur Parks
Jeff, my late father-in-law, Gordon Gilmore, was the XO on HR during WWII pacific campaign. I wonder if his signature is on that bottle😳!?
816-809-0707
Jeff Job
Arthur,
Just saw your reply. I will look on the bottle and let you know.
All the best-