USS Californian was a United States Navy cargo ship in commission in 1918.

SS Californian underway in San Francisco Bay on builder's trials in 1900.
History
United States
NameUSS Californian
NamesakeA resident of California (previous name retained)
BuilderUnion Iron Works, San Francisco, California
Launched12 May 1900
Completed1900
Acquired13 May 1918
Commissioned14 May 1918
FateSunk by naval mine 22 June 1918
NotesIn commercial service as SS Californian 1900-1918
General characteristics
TypeCargo ship
Tonnage5,658 Gross register tons
Length413 ft (126 m)
Beam51 ft (16 m)
Draft26 ft 2 in (7.98 m) (mean)
PropulsionSteam engine
Speed10 knots
Complement78

SS Californian was launched on 12 May 1900 at San Francisco, California, by Union Iron Works and delivered later that year to the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company of New York City. After the United States entered World War I, the United States Shipping Board acquired Californian for war service and transferred her to the U.S. Navy on 13 May 1918. The Navy commissioned her as USS Californian on 14 May 1918.

USS Californian sinking in the Bay of Biscay on 22 June 1918 after striking a naval mine.

Californian immediately loaded a cargo of coal, fuel oil, and general supplies for the American Expeditionary Force in France and departed on 31 May 1918 to join a convoy off New York City.

On 22 June 1918, while proceeding through the Bay of Biscay, Californian struck a naval mine. Although a gallant attempt was made to tow her to port, she sank later that day. Her crew abandoned ship in good order and was picked up by the patrol vessel USS Corsair (SP-159) without suffering any casualties.

Unlike most commercial ships commissioned into U.S. Navy service during World War I, Californian never received a naval registry identification number.

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