Harvard Arrives From South -- June 10, 2012

The Harvard and the Yale were fast turbine 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 1911 until World War One and from 1921 until 1931 (by the Los Angeles-San Francisco Steamship Company), when Harvard hit rocks near Point Arguello and sank. The effects of the Great Depression and competition from autos and railroads caused LASSCO to stop service with the Yale after 1936. Both ships carried troops to Europe during WWI and Yale served the Navy during WWII.

This advertisement, from the 08-September-1911 San Francisco Call describes Harvard's first arrival in San Francisco.  The postcard shows Harvard sailing out of the Golden Gate, past Mile Rock lighthouse. 

 Harvard Arrives From South

The Pacific navigation company's fast steamer Harvard, twin sister to the Yale, put in its first appearance yesterday after an 18 hour run from San Pedro.  Captain Jepsen, formerly with the Pacific Coast steamship company, is master of the Harvard. The Harvard is a duplicate of the Yale with all the features that make the other vessel attractive to the traveling public. The Harvard brought 80 passengers from San Pedro and sailed in the afternoon with about 100. This was a better showing than had been expected on account of the holidays.

In going to the dock the Harvard poked its nose into Jackson street wharf and carried away a freight apron. A barge moored at the end of the wharf was blamed for the accident. One of the sharp corners of the barge slightly damaged the Harvard's bow.  The Pacific navigation company has asked the chief wharfinger to have the berth used by the Harvard and Yale kept clear of obstructions in future.

The Harvard and Yale will contribute a regular service. There will be a sailing from this port every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and from San Pedro every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday