[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 132 (Monday, September 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1883]]


        THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF THE ``SS STEPHEN HOPKINS''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 1997

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of the 
distinguished service of the SS Stephen Hopkins, an American merchant 
vessel, who sailed during World War II.
  The SS Hopkins holds a unique distinction in U.S. merchant marine 
history. On Saturday, September 27 the city and county of San Francisco 
will observe SS Stephen Hopkins Day and the 55th anniversary of the 
only American Ship to sink a German Navy Surface Warship.
  The Hopkins sailed out of her home port in San Francisco on April 14, 
1942. On September 17, 1942, during her maiden voyage in the South 
Atlantic Sea the Hopkins and her crew waged a courageous battle against 
two heavily armed German vessels. This battle earned the Hopkins the 
citation of U.S. Government Gallant Ship. Her citation inscription 
recounts the events of that fateful day when, ``Two enemy raiders 
suddenly appeared out of the morning mist to attack her. The lightly 
armed merchantmen exchanged shot for shot with the enemy raiders, 
sinking one and setting the other a fire. The stark courage of her crew 
in their heroic stand against overpowering odds caused her name to be 
perpetuated as a Gallant Ship.'' The Hopkins was lost as a result of 
that valiant battle after sustaining destroyed engines, exploded 
boilers, and catching fire from stem to stern. Only 15 of the 19 
surviving crew survived the 31-day lifeboat trip which brought them to 
safety in Brazil.
  Mr. Speaker on behalf of the Congress, let us join the veteran 
merchant mariners and San Francisco community in commemorating the 
service of SS Stephen Hopkins and the brave crew who sailed her into 
history.

                          ____________________