On February 21 1931, the largest and finest merchant ship ever built by an American shipyard was launched. Everything about the 654 foot, 21,936 ton "SS President Coolidge" reflected comfort and elegance from two saltwater pools, one with an artificial sand beach to the First Class Smoking Lounge, which featured an antique marble fireplace where above the mantle, a decorative panel depicted a 'lady and unicorn'. The ship was laden with services including a gymnasium, children's playroom, shopping arcade, soda fountain, barbershop and beauty salon, a marine tea garden and recreation deck. There was even a stock exchange.

With America’s involvement in the War, the Coolidge went into service in 1941 as a transport ship for reinforcing Pacific garrisons. She made several South Pacific runs in 1942 including her fateful voyage to New Caledonia and Espiritu Santo laden with the 5,092 officers and troops bound for Guadalcanal.

On the morning of 26th October 1942, the Coolidge approached Santo by the Segond Channel. The navy had neglected to give Captain Nelson 'Special Instructions' including navigation information. These instructions could not be radioed due to the necessity of security. At 09.30 she struck two of many “friendly” mines scattered across the channel and listing badly was turned to the shore and run aground. The abandon ship order was issued and everyone aboard was told to leave their possessions as they could return for them later. But the Coolidge would never let her troops return. Fifty-five minutes after she was beached, at 10.55, the great vessel gave a shuddering lurch and slid backwards into the oily water, disappearing to her grave at the edge of the Segond Channel. She rolled onto her port side as she sank, taking with her two men who were never found.

This costly mistake however has turned Espiritu Santo into a mecca for divers worldwide, for the Coolidge is the largest, most intact and accessible wreck of W.W. II. Located only a few kilometres from Luganville, the second largest town in Vanuatu on the island of Santo, the wreck lies near the shore and is easily accessed through one of several dive operations based in Santo.