Pacific Tankers Inc.
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, Maritime transport |
| Founded | 1943 in San Francisco, California, United States |
| Founder | Joshua Hendy Corporation |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Parent | Joshua Hendy Corporation |
Pacific Tankers, Inc. was established in 1943 in San Francisco, California as a subsidiary of the Joshua Hendy Corporation with the purpose of operating fleet oiler vessels for the United States Navy throughout World War II. The enterprise oversaw a tanker fleet exceeding 60 ships, notably including T2-SE-A2 tankers of the Mission Buenaventura class, each vessel crewed by approximately 9 officers and 39 sailors. Following the conclusion of the war, Pacific Tankers, Inc. maintained its maritime operations on a global scale.
The parent company, Joshua Hendy Corporation, founded in the 1850s initially as an engineering and mining business, played a significant role in landmark projects such as the construction of the Panama Canal between 1904 and 1914. During World War II, it manufactured a dozen triple expansion steam engines for Liberty ships.
Between 1951 and 1952, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an inquiry into Pacific Tankers, Inc.'s transaction involving the sale of a vessel to shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.
Pacific Tankers, Inc. vessels
Among the distinguished ships managed by Pacific Tankers were:
- SS Mckittrick (constructed in 1944; owned from 1947 to 1951)
- SS Montebello Hills (built in 1944; under ownership between 1948 and 1951)
- SS William M. Burden (also known as SS Brookfield) (built in 1944; owned during 1950–1951)
- SS Pecos (in service since 1944)
- USS Sebec (AO-87) (leased from 1946 until 1950)
- SS Saugatuck (ownership period: 1947–1948)
World War II vessels
A number of tankers owned by the US government under the Naval Transportation Service were operated by Pacific Tankers, Inc., including:
- SS Mission Santa Ynez (T2 type)
- SS Mission Soledad
- SS Mission San Fernando
- SS Mission San Jose
- SS Mission San Gabriel
- SS Redstone
- SS Mission San Miguel
- SS Mission Carmel
- SS San Luis Obispo
- SS Mission Capistrano
- SS Santa Barbara
- SS Mission Santa Clara
- SS Mission Santa Ana
- SS Mission Dolores
- SS Mission San Carlos
- SS Mission San Luis Rey
- SS Chalmette (subsequently renamed Lynchburg (T-AO-154))
- SS Umatilla