The Concrete Ships of WWI and WWII: An Experiment In Maritime Construction
WWI
Atlantus
Cape Fear
Cuyamaca
Dinsmore
Latham
Moffitt
Palo Alto
Peralta
Polias
San Pasqual
Sapona
Selma
WWII
Anderson
Aspdin
Chateliere
Considere
Cowham
Eckel
Grant
Hennibique
Humphrey
Kahn
Lesley
Meade
Merriman
Pasley
Pollard
Saylor
Slater
Smeaton
Talbot
Thatcher
Vicat
Vidal
Vitruvius
Wason
Barges
Quartz
YOGN 82
Breakwaters
Powell River
Kiptopeke
 

S.S. John Aspdin

The S.S. John Aspdin was built in April, 1944 and lauched in May. On one of her trips, she was caught in a hurricane with 60 to 80 foot high waves, but survived with minimal damage. She was also used by the army as a store ship in the South Pacific.

The Aspdin was purchased to be used as a dock revetment in Newport, Oregon. On April 12, 1948, she grounded in the bay during transit and then floated out with the tide, only to be grounded agin on the North Reef. Ten days later, she broke in half and sank.

Location

The John Aspdin lies under 40 feet of water off the North Reef in Yaquina Bay, Orgeon. The wreck has become a diving site, but strong currents and mangled rebars make it a dangerous dive.

Relevant Links

Vital Statistics

Gross Weight: 4,690 Tons
Net Weight: 2,738 Tons
Dimensions: 102.53 meters x 16.45 m x 10.66 m
Engine: T.3-cyl, Prescott Mehy Co.