This photograph shows an unidentified 8th PRS Lockheed F-4 Lightning loaded as deck cargo aft on "A" deck of the S.S. President Coolidge. This converted cruise liner sailed from San Francisco on 19 March 1942 carrying infantry and equipment as well as personnel from "A" Flight of the 8th PRS. The ship docked in Melbourne on 7 April 1942 when it is believed this photograph was taken. The first four F-4s deployed to the SWPA were carried on this voyage so the aircraft depicted is one of 41-2123, 41-2124, 41-2125 or 41-2126.Source: Unknown

 

This image shows the approximate location of the F-4 Lightning (not to scale) on the No 6 cargo hatch cover superimposed on a deck plan of the SS President Coolidge which was drawn by Peter Stone. The tourist swimming pool is believed to have been of demountable canvas construction erected on top of the No 6 hatch cover. The swimming pool was not retained when the ship was converted as a troop ship.

Source: The Lady and the President - The Life and Loss of the S.S. President Coolidge by Peter Stone et al (ISBN 0 9586657 2 9) Oceans Enterprises, Yarram Victoria, 1997.

 

This photograph shows four F-4 Lightnings on Station Pier at Port Melbourne with the S.S. President Coolidge in the background. The ship docked in Melbourne on 7 April 1942 when it is believed this photograph was taken. The first four F-4s deployed to the SWPA were carried on this voyage so the aircraft depicted are 41-2123, 41-2124, 41-2125 and 41-2126.Source: Associated Press via Ron Cuskelly Collection

 

Australian Visits by the S.S. President Coolidge
DEPART
DATE
 ARRIVE
DATE
NOTE
San Francisco
12JAN42
 Melbourne
01FEB42
1
Melbourne
15FEB42
 Wellington
18FEB42
  
San Francisco
19MAR42
 Melbourne
07APR42
  
Melbourne
XXAPR42
 Sydney
XXAPR42
2
Sydney
XXAPR42
 Melbourne
17APR42
2
Melbourne
20APR42
 Bora Bora & San Francisco
08MAY42
3

 

NOTES
1
 This voyage carried, amongst others, A Flight of the 8th PRS and their aircraft.
2
 Some sources claim that the Coolidge made a return trip to Sydney in the interim. These sources state that the ship arrived in Melbourne on 17APR42.
3
 Passengers on this voyage included Manuel Quezon, President of the Philippines and General Douglas MacArthur and their staffs.

 

During a later voyage, the S.S. President Coolidge struck two mines and sank in the Segond Channel at Espiritu Santo on 26 October 1942. The mines, which were laid by the U.S. Navy to deter Japanese submarines, had previously claimed the destroyer, U.S.S. Tucker. In a subsequent enquiry, it was established that the master of the President Coolidge had not been advised of the existence of the minefield.

For more information on diving the wreck of the S.S. President Coolidge visit:

Michael McFadyen's Dive Site

 

SOURCES
1
 The Lady and the President - The Life and Loss of the S.S. President Coolidge by Peter Stone et al (ISBN 0 9586657 2 9) Oceans Enterprises, Yarram Victoria, 1997.
2
 http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info/viewpage.php?page_id=34

 
THE LOCKHEED FILEwww.adastron.com