1940 Press Photo Belgian tanker "Laurent Meeus" in the Los Angeles, CA harbor

Ships -oil tankers. Belgian ship joins stranded fleet. Los Angeles, California. With the retraction of her clearance papers, the Belgian tanker Laurent Meeus, loaded with 8,000 tons of oil, recently cancelled her trip to Japan and joined the growing fleet of war stranded vessels in Los Angeles Harbor. Here is a view of the Laurent Meeus, deep laden with fuel oil, as she rides at anchor. After the invasion of the low countries the ship was stranded in Texas Port for six weeks. It was then chartered by Japanese and made one trip to Osaka. Now as she lays in the harbor her chances of sailing for the Orient become slimmer as United States and Japanese relations grow more strained.

Photo is dated 1940.

Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches.