S.S. Catalina!

S.S. Catalina
Landmark #894 Los Angeles County Visited: June 4, 2011 Plaque?  NO. 🙁
What is it? The original port and/or the harbor that once housed the S.S. Catalina!
What makes it historical? THE GUIDE SAYS: Commonly referred to as the Great White Steamer, the ship was specially built by William Wrigley to serve his Catalina Island as a passenger ferry. She was christened on May 23, 1924. During World War II, she was requisitioned for use as a troop carrier, but in 1946 she resumed her voyages to Avalon.

OTHER TIDBITS: The Great White Steamer was gradually replaced by smaller, faster boats that could not hold a full orchestra, magic shows, or a bar, or even sound a horn to announce their arrival. While this may have been more economical, I think that was a tremendous loss of charm! Ultimately, despite a failed plan to renovate the ship, the high costs of mooring made it impossible to keep the S.S. Catalina in U.S. Waters. It was towed to Ensenada, Mexico in 1985 and sat there for 24 years, slowly sinking and being looted until it was demolished in 2009!

This landmark is/was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

How can I Help the Helpers? HERE’S HOW:

  • You can write and donate to the Steamship Historical Society of America!
  • Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
Where is this place? LISTED DIRECTIONS:

    Original:

    • Port of Los Angeles, Catalina Terminal, Berth 96
      Los Angeles, CA 90731
    New:

    • Ensenada Harbor
      Ensenada, Mexico

ANNOTATIONS:
Because Berth 96 is inaccessible and the ship has been destroyed in Ensenada, I decided to count Avalon Harbor as the place to photograph. It’s more scenic anyway! You can get there from ports in San Pedro, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach!

From Los Angeles: ~24mi (39km) — 0.4hrs
From Sacramento: ~407mi (656km) — 6.8hrs
From San Diego: ~93mi (150km) — 1.6hrs
From San Francisco: ~405mi (652km) — 6.8hrs

When should I go? Boats go to the island year-round! Check out your local charter service for schedules!

Click here to see more California historical landmarks!

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