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SBB-10: Inter-island Steamship SS Helene Ship

Composite: SS Helene shipSurvey: SS Helene after mast holeSurvey: SS Helene anemonesSurvey: SS Helene below decksSurvey: SS Helene bit with anemoneSurvey: SS Helene bitSurvey: SS Helene bitts with lineSurvey: SS block Helene slabSurvey: SS Helene bowSurvey: SS Helene deck framingSurvey: SS Helene edge of cargo holdSurvey: SS Helene engine to aft mast holeSurvey: SS Helene exhaust stackSurvey: SS Helene fire roomSurvey: SS Helene foscole near bowSurvey: SS Helene forecastleSurvey: SS Helene forward mast holeSurvey: SS Helene nearing sternSurvey: SS Helene port bow bittsSurvey: SS Helene port bow railingSurvey: SS Helene port focsolSurvey: SS Helene port stern bittsSurvey: SS Helene reciprocating stream engineSurvey: SS Helene reciprocating stream engineSurvey: SS Helene rudder indicatorSidescan: SS HeleneSidescan: SS HeleneHistoric Photo: SS HeleneHistoric photo: Triple expansion steam engineHistoric photo: SS Helene CGIHistoric photo: SS Helene off Paahau 1904


HURL Artifact No. SBB-10 *Denotes approximations and speculations
Name: SS Helene Lost: 8-Oct-29
Artifact Type: Steamship Found: 23-Aug-04
Nationality: Hawaiian Dive No: PV-680
Class or Make: Steamship Location: South Oahu
Model: Inter-island Depth (m): 505m
Purpose: Freight/Passenger Transport HURL crew: Kerby, Price, Kelley
Serial Number: 47 Additional Dives: PIV-194
Built/Launched: February 1897; Union Iron Works, San Francisco
Length: 170.6'
Width: 30.8'
Height: 8.5'
Circumstance of Loss: Scuttled Crew Personnel/Position: Unknown
Reason of Loss: Old Age Crew Survivals/Fatalities: n/a
Artifact History: Began it's career with the Wilder Steam Company until it merged into the Inter-island Steam Navigation Company in 1905. As a new vessel Wilder hoped to stimulate tourism with first class passenger service. Later it would also carry cattle. It is nearly identical to the SS Maui. She was sold for scrap along with the Claudine and the Likelike in 1929.
Artifact Condition: Hull is intact. Superstructure is gone, either removed or deteriorated. Single stack is gone, but the openings for the boiler and donkey boiler are visible. Triple expansion steam engine is clearly visible as wooden decking has mostly decayed away. There is a short portion of handrail coming off the bow piece. A davit is present as are the bow bits and rudder indicator.
Additional Information: There is a fair amount of colorful anemones, sponges and fish on this artifact. Completely contrary to the SS Mauna Kea found in the vicinity, which is void of such marine life. The length, engine, bow, rudder, and davit all match Helene's plans. The ship was named after Helene Irwin, the popular daughter of sugar factor and Wilder's director and stockholder, W. G. Irwin.

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Revised March 18, 2019 by Meagan Putts
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