The floating troop carrier that helped win the WWII sits abandoned in San Francisco

Eureka Ferry’s Wartime Mission from Camp Stoneman

The humble ferryboat Eureka once carried more than cars across San Francisco Bay. When Camp Stoneman opened in May 1942, this vessel got a new job: moving troops to war.

For three years, Eureka and other ferries took soldiers on a four-hour trip down the Sacramento River to San Francisco’s piers.

By August 1945, the camp had sent its millionth soldier toward the Pacific, just days before Japan gave up. In total, Camp Stoneman helped move over 1.5 million troops to battle during two wars.

Today, you can still see the restored Eureka and its rare 1890 steam engine at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

The Army Built a Massive Staging Camp Near Pittsburg in 1942

The War Department approved Camp Stoneman on January 3, 1942, taking over 2,500 acres near Pittsburg, California. They named it after George Stoneman, a Civil War cavalry leader who later became California’s governor.

The camp opened on May 28, 1942, as the main staging area under the San Francisco Port. The first troops (a black field artillery regiment from Harlem) left on May 25, before the official opening.

Workers built the camp to quickly move troops through paperwork, medical checks, gear handouts, and last-minute training.

Ferryboats Became Crucial Links in the Pacific Supply Chain

The Army put together a fleet of ferries to carry troops from Pittsburg to San Francisco piers.

They took the Catalina and Cabrillo, sister ships that once carried tourists to Catalina Island, and turned them into troop carriers.

The Eureka joined this makeshift navy, bringing its experience as an 1890-built wooden paddle steamer. Later, they added the Yerba Buena (later called Ernie Pyle and nicknamed the “million dollar ferry”).

The trip took soldiers three to four hours down the Sacramento River to San Francisco Bay.

Eureka Started Life as a Railroad Ferry in the 1890s

The Eureka began as the Ukiah, built in 1890 by the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad at their Tiburon yard.

During World War I, she hauled rail cars filled with munitions, which strained her hull so badly she needed a complete rebuild. Workers took her apart between 1921-1923, replacing everything above the waterline.

They renamed her Eureka in 1923, and she became the world’s largest and fastest double-ended passenger ferry. She could carry 2,300 passengers and 120 cars at once.

Trains Delivered Soldiers Right to Camp Stoneman’s Doorstep

Soldiers came to Camp Stoneman on Santa Fe and Southern Pacific trains from across the country. Rail tracks ran straight into the camp for easy troop delivery.

The camp had railroad track across its north side with many buildings featuring loading docks for quick unloading. Most troops stayed at Stoneman for one to two weeks before heading overseas.

At its busiest, the camp could hold 20,000 soldiers spread across more than 800 buildings.

Soldiers Got Their Final Checks Before Shipping Out

Troops went through final medical and dental exams at Camp Stoneman, with doctors fixing any problems they found. Supply officers handed out and fitted gear, updated clothing, and made sure all paperwork was ready.

Instructors gave soldiers last-minute training for overseas duty. Clerks filled out and updated all deployment paperwork.

Many soldiers couldn’t leave the post during their entire stay, as their next stop would be a war zone.

The Last March Down Harbor Street Became a Ritual

Troops marched down Harbor Street to reach the Pittsburg waterfront when it was time to leave. They boarded ferries waiting at the waterfront piers.

The Eureka and other boats carried them down the Sacramento River into San Francisco Bay. They headed for Fort Mason’s piers (Piers 15 and 45) on San Francisco’s Embarcadero.

The trip from Camp Stoneman to San Francisco took three to four hours, the last peaceful journey many would have for years.

Fort Mason Served as the Gateway to the Pacific War

Fort Mason worked as headquarters for a huge Pacific shipping operation since 1912. The San Francisco Port of Embarkation officially started on May 6, 1932, but grew hugely after Pearl Harbor.

Its network included Fort Mason piers, Oakland Army Base, and spots throughout the Bay Area. Troops boarded ocean ships at Fort Mason and Oakland heading for Pacific battlefields.

By 1945, the port employed over 30,000 military and civilian workers.

Catalina Carried More Troops Than Any Other Harbor Vessel

The SS Catalina (called U. S. Army FS-99 during the war) served from August 25, 1942 to April 22, 1946. She moved more than 800,000 troops between camps and departure piers during her service.

Built in 1924 as a luxury Catalina Island passenger ferry, she got a military makeover when war broke out. She needed a civilian crew of 39 officers and men to run, and could carry 2,500 troops at once.

She became the first Army harbor boat with radar for moving through the Bay Area’s thick fog.

The Army Celebrated Its Millionth Soldier Just Before Japan Surrendered

On August 11, 1945, the millionth soldier processed through Camp Stoneman got pulled from a gangplank line. The Army held a quick ceremony to mark this huge milestone.

Japan surrendered just three days later on August 14, 1945. Camp Stoneman handled over 1 million soldiers during World War II alone.

By the time it closed, the camp had processed about 1. 5 million troops through both World War II and the Korean War during its twelve years of operation.

The Port Moved Two-Thirds of All Pacific-Bound Troops

During World War II’s 45 months, the San Francisco Port of Embarkation moved 1,647,174 passengers into the Pacific. It shipped over 23 million tons of cargo through its West Coast operations.

This represented two-thirds of all troops sent to fight in the Pacific Theater. The port handled more than half of all Army cargo moved through West Coast ports.

Its busiest month came in August 1945, when 93,986 people headed outbound through its facilities.

Camp Stoneman Welcomed Soldiers Home After Victory

When the war ended, Camp Stoneman changed into a separation center for returning troops. Workers put up welcome home signs on Angel Island, the C&H sugar refinery near Crockett, and the railroad bridge.

Returning soldiers got processed in less than 48 hours, much faster than the 1-2 weeks it took for outbound troops.

The same ferries that once carried fresh recruits now brought battle-hardened veterans back up the Sacramento River from Fort Mason to Pittsburg.

The Army closed Camp Stoneman on August 30, 1954, and the Eureka retired from ferry service in 1957.

Visiting Eureka (Double-Ended Ferry), California

The Eureka ferry that carried over one million troops to the Pacific during World War II is currently at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo for restoration work and isn’t open to visitors. Hyde Street Pier is also closed for renovations.

You can learn about the ferry’s wartime history at the Maritime Museum on Beach Street, open 10am to 4pm.

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Visitor Center at 2 Marina Boulevard has free admission and updates on when the pier will reopen.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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