SS JEREMIAH O'BRIEN
Also known as: See Also:SS JEREMIAH O'BRIEN
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Why it's listed
Launched on June 19, 1943, at South Portland, Maine, this steam-powered cargo ship is the last Liberty ship to survive with its original design intact. Liberty ships were built quickly in 18 shipyards to relieve a critical wartime shortage of cargo vessels, and 2,751 were produced. This one measures just over 441 feet long and was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine. During the war it was operated by the Grace Line and carried dry cargoes such as ammunition and grain between the East Coast, the United Kingdom and the Continent. In 1946 it returned to the Pacific Coast from Australia and was then placed in reserve in Suisun Bay, California. It was chosen for preservation because it had never been altered or modified. Although it saw no famous action, it represents a ship type that was central to American military supply, wartime commerce and transportation. It is named for the Maine sea captain who won an early naval fight of the Revolution.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the sole intact survivor of 2,751 Liberty ships, the largest single class of ships ever built. It is not tied to any particular battle or convoy. It is significant as a representative of its type, with its original design unaltered, in military, engineering, wartime commerce and transportation history.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78003405, listed June 7, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Pier 3, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco |
|---|---|
| County | San Francisco |
| Listed | June 7, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78003405 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1943 - 1946 |
| Architect / builder | New England Shipbuilding Corp. |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 14, 1986 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition rated fair at listing; unaltered since built, though the exterior needed refurbishing and repainting after years without preservation. Later amended to note the ship was refurbished and moved to San Francisco. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Fort Mason Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 37.80809, -122.42970 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78003405.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2464180
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.