description SS President Coolidge Overview
SS President Coolidge was a luxury ocean liner originally built for the American President Lines. In the lead-up to World War II, the U.S. War Department converted her into a troopship for the United States Army. On October 26, 1942, while entering the harbor at Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), she struck two friendly naval mines.
The ship was beached, but the captain realized she could not be saved and ordered the evacuation, resulting in only two fatalities; today, the massive wreck is a heavily visited and easily accessible recreational scuba diving site.
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Why is the SS President Coolidge considered one of the best wreck dives in the world?
The SS President Coolidge rests in shallow, clear waters near Espiritu Santo, making its massive interior highly accessible to recreational scuba divers. Divers can explore the intact luxury ocean liner and view famous artifacts like "The Lady," a beautifully preserved porcelain mosaic.
Why was the luxury ocean liner SS President Coolidge carrying troops?
In the lead-up to World War II, the U.S. War Department realized they needed a vast fleet to move soldiers globally, so they converted luxury liners like the Coolidge into troopships. The vessel was painted in military gray and stripped of its luxury amenities to transport thousands of soldiers to the Pacific theater.
What exactly caused the SS President Coolidge to sink on October 26, 1942?
While attempting to enter the harbor at Espiritu Santo, the ship struck two American naval mines that were placed to defend against Japanese submarines. The captain intentionally ran the sinking vessel aground on a reef, but it slid back into deeper water.
Were there any casualties when the SS President Coolidge sank?
Despite the massive explosion caused by the sea mines, only two men out of the 5,000+ troops and crew on board lost their lives. The vast majority of the soldiers were able to abandon ship and swim safely to the nearby shore.
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