Florence J. was a small gasoline-powered vessel built in 1913 or 1914 at Dockton, Washington. The vessel is chiefly remembered for having capsized immediately upon being launched.
Career Florence J. was built to replace the Rene, then owned by Union Oil Service and running on Puget Sound. The vessel was equipped with an Frisco Standard gasoline engine. Florence J. was reported to have been a propeller-driven vessel in length and in width, with depth of hold, displacing 49 gross tons or 33 registered tons.U.S. Dept. of the Treasure, Bureau of the Statistics, Annual list of Merchant Vessels of the United States (for the year ending 1913) Florence J. is also reported to have been launched in 1914.Newell, ed. H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest, at page 244.
Launching Florence J. is chiefly known for the major failure that accompanied the launching of the vessel, which was recorded by the important Puget Sound maritime photographer Asahel Curtis.
Name change In 1920 the vessel's name is recorded as having been changed to Despatch No. 5.Department of Commerce, Bureau of Navigation, Seagoing Vessels of the United States (1920).
Notes
References Newell, Gordon R., ed., H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest, Superior Publishing (1966) U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, Bureau of the Statistics, Annual list of Merchant Vessels of the United States (for the year ending 1913) Department of Commerce, Bureau of Navigation, Seagoing Vessels of the United States (1920).