Ship History
Built during October 1931 for the Dollar Steamship Lines. In 1938 when the company collapsed was transfered to the American President Lines. As a luxury liner, the ship had a first class section for 305, tourist class of 133 and steerage class of 402 passengers. Amenities staterooms, lounges, telephones, two saltwater swimming pools, a barber shop, beauty salon, gymnasium and soda fountain. The liner once setting a speed record from San Francisco to Japan.

Wartime History
In 1940, helped evacuate Americans from Hong Kong during 1940. During June 1941, the liner went into US Army service. In the prewar years, the liner made transport runs to Honolulu and Manila, and

After the start of the Pacific war, the liner was converted to a troop transport capable of carrying 5,440 men, painted gray and armed with guns. In her first few months of service, the transport reached Melbourne, Wellington, Auckland, Bora Bora, and Suva.

Sinking History
On October 6, she set sail from her home port of San Francisco, California for New Caledonia and Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Carrying 5,440 men of the mostly from the US Army, 43rd Infantry Division, plus arms and equipment.

On October 26, 1942 while approaching Espiritu Santo, the liner collided with two American sea mines in the Segond Channel off Espiritu Santo Harbor.

Captain Henry Nelson attempted to run the ship aground and ordered an abandon ship. Troops were told to leave all of their belongings behind under the impression that they would conduct salvage operations over the next few days.

Two were killed in the sinking. Fireman Robert Reid was working in the engine room and was killed by the initial mine blast. Captain Elwood J. Euart, US Army Artillery Corps, had safely gotten off the Coolidge when he learned that there were still men in the infirmary who could not get out. He went back in to one of the sea doors, successfully rescued the men but was then unable to escape himself and he went down with the ship. A memorial to Captain Euart is located on the shore near the access points for the Coolidge. Other sources list four or five dead in the sinking.

Over the course of the next 90 minutes, 5,340 men got safely off of the wreck and to shore. There was no panic as the troops disembarked - many even walked to shore. However, the captain's attempts to beach the ship were unsuccessful due to the coral reef. The Coolidge listed heavily on her side, sank, and slid down the slope into the channel. She now rests on her port side with her bow at a depth of 70' and her stern at 240'.

Inquries
There were three official inquiries surrounding the cause of the sinking. The first preliminary Court of Inquiry convened November 12, 1942 aboard the USS Whitney at the behest of Admiral Halsey. The Court of Inquiry recommended additional charges be laid against Captain Nelson. The matter was referred to a Military Commission which convened in Noumea, New Caledonia on December 8, 1942. This commission acquitted Captain Nelson of guilt. From the Commission of Inquiry it came out that Merchant Marine vessels were not given all available tactical information, most notably regarding the placement of mines. This simple precaution would have prevented the sinking. This outcome did not please the Navy Department, and he was referred to a Coast Guard Investigation Board upon his return to the United States on February 6, 1943. This Investigation Board took no further action.

Shipwreck
The ship sank on her port side resting from 70' to 240' underwater.

During November 20-30, 1942 the USS Ortolan ASR-5 salvaged war suppies off the sunken ship.

Salvage operations which recovered items such as the propeller blades, bunker oil, brass casings of shells, electric motors, junction boxes and copper tubing. However, on November 18, 1983 the Vanuatu government declared that no salvage or recovery of any artifact would be allowed from the Coolidge. Since then the ship has been used for recreational diving.

The shipwreck lies on her port side with her bow at only 70', only a short walk and a swim from shore near Luganville. At 45m within the ship is "The Lady" in the first class passengers lounge smoking room. Now she poses for those divers sufficiently experienced to penetrate the wreck.

References
National Geographic "Ghosts of War"

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Last Updated
October 6, 2009

70'-240'

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