San Pedro in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
S.S. Catalina
1. S.S. Catalina Marker
Commonly referred to as the Great White Steamer, the ship was specially built by William Wrigley to serve his Catalina Island as a passenger ferry. She was christened on May 23, 1924. During World War II, she was requisitioned for use as a troop carrier, but in 1946 she resumed her voyages to Avalon. (Marker Number 894.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series lists.
Location. 33° 44.972′ N, 118° 16.463′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in San Pedro. It can be reached from Swinford Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 E Swinford St, San Pedro CA 90731, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: USS Iowa (BB-61) (approx. half a mile away); Ralph J. Scott (approx. 0.7 miles away); Propeller From The RMS Queen Mary (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fishing Industry Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Harry Bridges Memorial (approx. Ύ mile away); U.S.S. Los Angeles (approx. Ύ mile away); American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial Wall of Honor (approx. Ύ mile away); American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Liberty Hill (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. The S.S. Catalina was retired in 1975. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and designated California Historical Landmark #894, and Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #213. The ship was moved to Ensenada Mexico in 1985 where it partially sank, and was scrapped in 2009.
Regarding S.S. Catalina. 24 million passengers traveled on the S.S. Catalina (including me, -CB), which is more than any other ship in the world.
Also see . . .
1. S.S. Catalina California Gold. In this half-hour video produced for local PBS television stations in 2012, Huell Howser talks about the ships history and shows old films of the ship. (Submitted on January 22, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
2. S.S. Catalina. Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 14, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
January 22, 2018
2. Catalina Terminal
This marker is displayed at the Catalina Express terminal during business hours.
3. S.S. Catalina
4. S.S. Catalina in Ensenada before being scrapped.
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 6, 2022
5. S.S. Catalina Steering Wheel
On display in the Catalina Island Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 723 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on January 28, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2018, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2. submitted on January 22, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on January 18, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on October 20, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
