Port Hueneme in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

La Jenelle

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 21, 2017

1. "La Jenelle" Marker

Inscription.
Buried beneath this beach is the 467–foot hull of the “La Jenelle”. The luxury liner was driven aground at this site during a coastal storm on April 13, 1970. The State Lands Commission coordinated a joint federal, state and local governmental effort to convert the remains of the derelict ship from a safety hazard to this recreational area for public benefit. This beachside park and fishing area, constructed with state funds is maintained by the County of Ventura.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is April 13, 1970.

Location. 34° 8.804′ N, 119° 12.962′ W. Marker is in Port Hueneme, California, in Ventura County. It can be reached from the intersection of Ocean Drive and Sawtelle Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located on the beach at La Jenelle Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oxnard CA 93035, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

on Central Coast,

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in

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North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Point Hueneme Lighthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bank of Hueneme (approx. one mile away); Women’s Improvement Club (approx. 1.1 miles away); Gerberding/Moranda House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Bard Mansion (approx. 1.4 miles away); Bard Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Goodspeed Street Marker (approx. 1.4 miles away); Alaska Flight 261 Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Hueneme.

More about this marker. More information and artifacts from "La Jenelle" can bee seen at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum which generously aided in documenting this marker.

Regarding La Jenelle.
“La Jenelle” is known as the ship with five names. Launched in 1930 as the “Borinquen”, she operated from New York to islands in the Caribbean. Requisitioned during World

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 21, 2017

2. "La Jenelle" Marker

War II, she carried troops and cargo to English, Mediterranean and African ports. She was a hospital ship at the D-Day landings in Normandy. In 1949 she was sold and renamed “Puerto Rico”. In 1954 she was modernized by the Arosa Steamship Line and named the “Arosa Star”. When the line went bankrupt in 1959 she was sold to the Eastern Steamship Line and named “Bahama Star”. In 1965 she rescued 489 people from the burning “SS Yarmouth Castle”, another cruise ship. This disaster led to regulations banning passenger vessels with wooden super-structures, like “Bahama Star”. She was renamed “La Jenelle” in 1969 and brought to Port Hueneme, California to be converted to a casino. These plans never materialized and in 1970, she dragged anchor and was grounded. She was broken up in place and covered with rocks and sand to form the breakwaters and beach here.

Also see . . .
1. Channel Islands Maritime Museum. Museum website (Submitted on October 22, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. La Jenelle. California Wreck Divers website. (Submitted on October 22, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Parts of the Wreck are occasionally uncovered image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 21, 2017

3. Parts of the Wreck are occasionally uncovered

Artifacts from “La Jenelle” at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 21, 2017

4. Artifacts from “La Jenelle” at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum

"La Jenelle" as "Bermuda Star" image. Click for full size.

courtesy Maritime Matters

5. "La Jenelle" as "Bermuda Star"

The wreck of "La Jenelle" image. Click for full size.

courtesy Maritime Matters

6. The wreck of "La Jenelle"

Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,581 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 22, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 5, 6. submitted on October 22, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.