Women in the U.S. Merchant Marine

[SemperParatus]

Many women served in the US Merchant Marine during WW II. To get the ball rolling I would like to mention Mrs. Clara Gordon Main a stewardess aboard the passenger ship "PRESIDENT HARRISON". The "PRESIDENT HARRISON" was attacked and captured in the Yellow Sea by the Japanese. The Japanese dropped notes on the ship demanding the ship surrender. Captain Pierson was having none of that and ordered his engines full ahead driving the ship onto the beach and tearing out her bottom plates. All in all the crew stayed aboard the ship and on a nearby island for 40 days.

 

During the capture and for more than a month afterward Mrs. Clara Main displayed a courage and calmness exceeded by no member of the crew. While the Japanese dive bombed the ship Mrs. Main remained at least outwardly entirely unexcited.

 

At a later date Mrs. Clara Main was awarded the Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal with the following citation.

 

At the outbreak of the war with Japan S/S PRESIDENT HARRISON in which Mrs. Main was serving as Stewardess, was beached on the coast of China by the Master in an effort to prevent capture by the enemy. The vessel was, however, first bombed and then captured by the japanese who ordered all hands to abandon shio. in so doing the Chief Steward suffered several broken ribs. Mrs. Main the only women member of the large crew conducted herself in such a cool and collected manner that she had a decidedly steadying influence on the seamen. She also had the foresight to take with her as she left the ship in the last boat, certain medicinal restoratives and first aid material, which proved invaluable. During the ensuing six weeks she nursed the Chief Steward so effectively that she undoubtedly saved his life. Her calm and courageous attitude and her skillful nursing, assisted greatly in maintaining the crew's moral and will be a lasting inspiration to all seamen of the United States Merchant Marine.

 

Mrs. Main was also among the very first POWs of WW II.

[dhodak]

Very Interesting, Thanks for posting

[SemperParatus]

You are welcome. Mrs. Main was just one of several women who served in the Merchant Marine. I will check my archives and mention some others as they come to light.

[mikie]

I also found this interesting. Had not heard of this before. Thanks!

Mikie

[Salvage Sailor]

Excellent topic, thanks for directing our attention to the service of these women mariners.

 

Full story and photo of Clara Gordon Main here on the Women Offshore website (scroll down) http://womenoffshore.org/category/early-wave-makers/

[Bluehawk]

Very pleased to learn of this.

 

We have a family member who was a Merchant Mariner during WWII, Nearby in San Pedro is a memorial to their service.

Many women served in the US Merchant Marine during WW II. To get the ball rolling I would like to mention Mrs. Clara Gordon Main a stewardess aboard the passenger ship "PRESIDENT HARRISON"...

 

At the outbreak of the war with Japan S/S PRESIDENT HARRISON in which Mrs. Main was serving as Stewardess, was beached on the coast of China by the Master in an effort to prevent capture by the enemy. The vessel was, however, first bombed and then captured by the japanese who ordered all hands to abandon shio. in so doing the Chief Steward suffered several broken ribs. Mrs. Main the only women member of the large crew conducted herself in such a cool and collected manner that she had a decidedly steadying influence on the seamen. She also had the foresight to take with her as she left the ship in the last boat, certain medicinal restoratives and first aid material, which proved invaluable. During the ensuing six weeks she nursed the Chief Steward so effectively that she undoubtedly saved his life. Her calm and courageous attitude and her skillful nursing, assisted greatly in maintaining the crew's moral and will be a lasting inspiration to all seamen of the United States Merchant Marine.

 

Mrs. Main was also among the very first POWs of WW II.

[SemperParatus]

It is nice to see that some people find the service of women in the Merchant Marine of interest. I would briefly add three more heroines of the Merchant Marine and in turn encourage you to further research the topic. Mary Cullum Kimbro was a stewardess on the S/S CITY OF BIRMINGHAM when she was torpedoed and sunk by the U-202 off Cape Hatteras, NC in July of 1942. Winifred Grey was among the 10 crew members lost when the S/S ROBERT E. LEE was torpedoed on July 30, 1942. Edna T. Johansson may have been the first women to win the Merchant Marine Combat Bar with Star as she was aboard the S/S SIXAOLA on June 12, 1942 when the vessel was torpedoed and sunk. Certainly there were others and little doubt some very fascinating stories to tell.