Model of San Francisco-Based ‘Jeremiah O’Brien’ in Scotland

Richmond sailor Jeff Cook sent a short note from his recent travels: “On a recent visit to the Museum of War and Peace in Oban, Scotland, I was drawn to a model of a Liberty ship on display. Apparently, Oban was used as a mustering port for incoming and outgoing convoys across the Atlantic during the war. And there it was, a replica of our very own Jeremiah O’ Brien in the main room overlooking the mustering harbor. The curator was very knowledgeable, and we talked about the productive yards in Richmond and the pace at which they [the ships] were built. I mentioned to him that the Jeremiah O’Brien was still alive and well as a tour vessel on S.F. Bay. He was interested to learn that she had made a last Atlantic crossing in 1994 for the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landing.” (Read Latitude 38, April 1994: Slow Boat to Omaha.)

During World War II the Liberty ships were being built in Richmond at an astonishing speed, with the fastest one, the SS Robert E. Peary, having been built in a remarkable four days, 15 hours and 26 minutes after the keel was laid. The Liberty ships were about 450 feet in length, and the Jeremiah O’Brien was built in Maine in an also-remarkable 56 days. She is the last surviving Liberty ship of the 2,710 that were built for the war. She’s now based at Pier 45 in San Francisco. She’s remembered well in Europe.

When not traveling, Jeff can be found sailing the Bay aboard his 33-ft custom cutter Annie out of the Richmond Yacht Club.