The Harvard and the Yale were fast steamers brought from the east coast by the Pacific Navigation Company to operate between San Francisco and San Pedro, the port of Los Angeles. They sailed the route from 1910 until World War One, then from 1921 until 1931, when Harvard hit rocks near Point Arguello and sank. I always thought Yale and her sister were beautiful ships. This article, from the 22-December-1910 San Francisco Call, describes the Yale's first trip on its California route.
FLOATING HOTELS ON RAPID RUNS
Departure of Steamer Yale for South Opens Ocean Express Passenger Service
Turbine Vessels Expected to Do Big Business and Rivals May Cut Rates
With the arrival and departure yesterday of the steamer Yale the new express passenger service between San Francisco and Los Angeles became a fact, and the Pacific navigation company, became a factor in the fight for the coast passenger business. It is believed that the Yale and its twin sister, the Harvard, will draw largely from the rail business of the Southern
Pacific, and it is expected that before many days, the Southern Pacific's San Francisco and Portland steamship line, which has recently extended its service to San Pedro, will meet the new arrivals with a cut in rates. The other lines running south may follow suit, and a war such as followed the appearance on this run of the St. Croix is fully expected.
RIVALS TAKE NOTICE.
It was not believed that the Pacific navigation company could get its ships into service so soon after their arrival from the Atlantic, and the arrival on schedule time of the Yale made the
rival lines situp and take notice. The Harvard will be here Saturday, and next week the new service will be in full operation.
The Yale is something new on this coast. Those who made the trip on the steamer from the Atlantic have no fears of the Yale's ability to take care of itself and maintain. its schedule between here and San Pedro in all kinds of weather. In addition to being faster than anything on the coast outside of Uncle Sam's torpedo boat destroyers, the Yale and Harvard are equipped with all the comforts and conveniences to be found in a first class hotel, and the schedule has been arranged to suit the convenience of the greatest number.
The Yale brought only 150 passengers from Los Angeles, but sailed at 5 o'clock with 450. The steamer has accommodations for 800 first class passengers, and the Pacific navigation officials are confident that they will get a big share of the business.
PASSENGERS PLEASED.
The passengers who made the first trip on the Yale were specially enthusiastic about the a la carte system of supplying meals. The quality of the food and the service were both pronounced first class. As for the ship itself the Yale was a revelation. The run from San Pedro was made in 18 hours, the fastest on record. The Yale left four hours behind the Harriman steamer Beaver, passed the Beaver as if the latter was standing still, and was tied up at Pacific street wharf for several hours before the Beaver showed up. On the run from San Pedro the Yale maintained a speed of 23 knots for three consecutive hours, and the passengers 'said that there was an entire absence of vibration, and that the steamer maintained a steadiness that would have done credit to a church.
The Yale is a triple screw steamer and is equipped with Parsons turbine engines of 12,000 horsepower. The Yale and the Harvard can make 24 knots an hour, but will be able to maintain
their schedule with a 20 knot gait.
May Make Six Weekly Trips.
[Special Dispatch to The Call]
SAN PEDRO, Dec. 21. — The big passenger steamer Harvard will be ready to go into commission Friday and will be in command of Captain R. Jepsen, recently in command of the steamer Governor.
Captain Harry Goodall will remain at this port to supervise the traffic at this end of the line and will have as his chief of staff Henry Speyer, who came out from New York as first officer on the Harvard. Speyer was first officer, of the steamer Roanoke when that vessel first began to run to this harbor.
It is said that if passenger and freight traffic develops as is expected the Yale and Harvard will each make six trips a week.
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