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UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

Photo # NH 56666: USS Bella at Pauillac, France, during the First World War

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Bella (ID # 2211), 1918-1920
Previously the civilian freighter Bella (1906).

USS Bella, a 1272 gross ton cargo ship, was built at Newcastle, England, in 1906. In February 1918, while in commercial service as S.S. Bella, she was purchased by the Navy. Placed in commission in mid-March at Paulliac, France, she was employed as a support ship for Navy aviation units in Europe for the rest of World War I and for the first three months following the November 1918 Armistice. In February 1919, though remaining in Navy service, Bella began working for the U.S. Army, carrying cargo on the Gironde River, France. Returning to the United States in November 1919, she was decommissioned in February 1920 and sold in August of that year.

This page features all available views related to USS Bella (ID # 2211) and to the civilian freighter Bella.


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Photo #: NH 99155

Bella (American Freighter, 1906)

In an icy port, possibly when the Third Naval District inspected her on 15 January 1918. She appears to be wearing pattern camouflage.
The Navy purchased this steamer on 22 February 1918 and placed her in commission as USS Bella (ID # 2211) on 15 March 1918. Decommissioned on 20 February 1920 , she was sold on 2 August of that year.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 81KB; 530 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 56666

USS Bella (ID # 2211)

At Pauillac, France, during the First World War.
Note camouflage pattern painted on her smokestack, and possibly on her after deckhouses.
The hulk of the old French coast defense ship Furieux (launched 1883) is in the center background.
The original print, received from Naval Air Station, Pauillac, following World War I, had the following caption: "U.S.S. Bella carried half of the construction supplies sent from here to other stations."

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 


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Page made 23 March 2004