Californian was an early American motor cargo ship which was built in 1921 in Chester, Pennsylvania for the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company.
Auxiliary power was provided by four 65-kilowatt (87 hp) generator sets, each driven by a two-cylinder diesel engine.
[5] Californian was built by the Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation, Chester, Pennsylvania for the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company.
[3] The introduction of Californian into service allowed American-Hawaiian to withdraw the steamships American, Nebraskan and Nevadan.
[9] She initially operated between ports on the west coast of the United States, Europe and New York.
[14] After calling at London, Glasgow and Liverpool, United Kingdom,[15] Californian arrived back at New York on 22 September,[16] having travelled 21,000 nautical miles (39,000 km).
[15] In February 1923, Californian was withdrawn from the European route to trade between the American Atlantic and Pacific coast ports.
[18] In January 1925, Californian was at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Union Works for repairs to her propellers.
[20][21] Californian was drydocked at the Moore Dry Dock Company, Oakland, California in May 1930 for repairs to hull damage.
[24][26] In June, Californian underwent minor repairs by the Moor Dry Dock Company.
[33][34][35][36][37] In summer 1940, Californian was one of 90 American ships sold to the British Ministry of War Transport.
[40] Convoy HX 68 had departed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on 24 August and arrived at Liverpool on 8 September.
[44] Empire Kite joined Convoy HX 90, which departed on 21 November and arrived at Liverpool on 4 December.
Following repairs, she sailed on 28 February join Convoy OB 291, which had departed from Liverpool the previous day and dispersed at sea on 3 March.
[47] during the night of 19/20 February 1942, Empire Seal was torpedoed and sunk by U-96 off Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia with the loss of one of her 57 crew.
[53] The crewman lost on board Empire Seal is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.