Rockstroh (William J.) Papers, 1943-1944

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
William J. Rockstroh papers
Dates:
1943-1944
Creators:
Rockstroh, William J.
Abstract:
The William J. Rockstroh papers consist of the Chief Engineer's logbook for the SS Sea Devil from November 1943 to March 1944, a US Coast Guard Merchant Marine engineering license exam booklet and a photograph of Mr. Rockstroh in his Merchant Marine uniform.
Extent:
3 items
Language:
In English.
Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC1655 (SAFR 23811), William J. Rockstroh papers, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Background

Scope and content:

The William J. Rockstroh papers consist of the Chief Engineer's logbook for the SS Sea Devil from November 1943 to March 1944, a US Coast Guard Merchant Marine engineering license exam booklet and a photograph of Mr. Rockstroh in his Merchant Marine uniform.

The William J. Rockstroh papers, 1943 (SAFR 23811, HDC 1655) consists of the Chief Engineer's log book for the SS SEA DEVIL from November 1943 to March 1944, a US Coast Guard Merchant Marine engineering license specimen examination booklet, and a black & white photograph of Mr. Rockstroh in his Merchant Marine uniform. The collection is open for use without restrictions.

The SS SEA DEVIL, was a C3-S-A2-Type cargo vessel built as part of the United States Maritime Commission war-time fleet. Built at Western Pipe and Steel Company of California's San Francisco yard in 1943, she was delivered to the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company on November 30, 1943, the day the Chief Engineer's log was started. The log records the daily activities and monitors the conditions of the engineering plant through March 1944, during the time in which Mr. Rockstroh served as the ship's Chief Engineer.

In addition to the Chief Engineer's log book, this collection also includes the US Coast Guard Merchant Marine Engineering License specimen examination booklet owned by Mr. Rockstroh and a black & white photograph of Mr. Rockstroh in his Merchant Marine uniform.

Biographical / historical:

William J. Rockstroh was the Chief Engineer of the SS SEA DEVIL from November 1943 to March 1944. The SEA DEVIL was a Merchant Marine cargo vessel operated by the American-Hawaiian Steamship company.

William J. Rockstroh served as the Chief Engineer of the SS SEA DEVIL from November 1943 to March 1944. The SEA DEVIL was one of 465 United States Maritime Commission C3 Type ships built during WW II. The C3 Type was 7800 gross tons and 12,000 dead weight tons. The length overall was 492' and 465' at the water line with a beam of 69.5' and a normal draft of 28.5'. Two boilers drove an 8,500 HP geared turbine, which was connected, to a single shaft to provide a speed of 16.5 knots. The SS SEA DEVIL was a Maritime Commission design C3-S-A2 Type built by the Western Pipe and Steel Company of California at San Francisco as Western hull number 91 and Maritime Commission hull number 279. The keel was laid on February 18, 1943, launched on May 23, 1943 and delivered on November 30, 1943. As part of his official duties, Mr. Rockstroh maintained a columnar format logbook detailing the hourly operating specifications and operating status of the engineering plant while conducting operations in support of the US war effort in the Pacific Ocean. The Chief Engineer's logbook, an educational publication of the US Coast Guard for Merchant Marine engineering licensure and a photograph of Mr. Rockstroh in his Merchant Marine Uniform were kept in his possession until donated to the San Francsico Maritime Historical Park in 2011.

Acquisition information:

SAFR-02208

Donated by Mr. William J. Rockstroh

Processing information:

Note on Description: The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide. P lease cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.

Arrangement:

The William J. Rockstroh papers is a collection of three items housed in one oversize box.

Physical location:
San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard .

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by: Historic Documents Department Staff (Brogden).
Date Prepared:
2012
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from ICMS database and converted into xml from a template revised and updated by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department. 9/5/2012 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Terms of access:

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC1655 (SAFR 23811), William J. Rockstroh papers, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Location of this collection:
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact:
415-561-7030
Website