A guide to the William J. Rockstroh papers, 1943-1944
Processed by: Historic Documents Department Staff (Brogden).
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
2012
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: 415-561-7030
Fax: 415-556-3540
SAFR_Historic_Documents@nps.gov
URL: http://www.nps.gov/safr
A Guide to the William J. Rockstroh papers
HDC1655
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service2012, National Park Service
Title: William J. Rockstroh papers
Date: 1943-1944
Identifier/Call Number: HDC1655 (SAFR 23811)
Owner:
Rockstroh, William J.
Physical Description:
3 items
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
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.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
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.
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.
[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
SAFR-02208
Donated by Mr. William J. Rockstroh
Historical or Biographical Note
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.
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.
The William J. Rockstroh papers is a collection of three items housed in one oversize box.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Logbooks
Rockstroh, William J.
Sea Devil (built 1943; merchant ship)
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)
Logbooks
Logs (records)
Engineer
Boat engines