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UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
USS Major Wheeler (ID # 3637), 1918-1919.
Originally, and later, S.S. Major Wheeler (American Freighter,
1918).
Major Wheeler, a 3431 gross ton (7020 tons displacement) freighter, was built at Oakland, California. Completed in September 1918, she was commissioned in the Navy on 8 October 1918 as USS Major Wheeler (ID # 3637). The ship departed San Pedro, California, in November 1918 for Callao, Peru, with general cargo, which upon arrival she exchanged for a load of nitrates. Major Wheeler discharged the nitrates at Charleston, South Carolina, in December and in January 1919 moved to New York to load general cargo for ports in South America. After undergoing repairs, the ship sailed from New York in February 1919, delivered her cargo at various locations during March and April, and returned to New York in May with a shipment of maize from Argentina. USS Major Wheeler was decommissioned on 19 May 1919 and returned to the U.S. Shipping Board. Sold in 1922, she continued to operate as S.S. Major Wheeler until 6 February 1942, when she was torpedoed and sunk off the U.S. east coast by the German submarine U-107, with the loss of her entire thirty-five man crew.
This page features all available views concerning S.S. Major Wheeler and USS Major Wheeler.
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
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Photo #: None USS Major Wheeler (ID # 3637) On the ways on 25 September 1918 at the yard of her builder, Hanlon Dry Dock & Ship Building Co., Oakland, Calif. Her dazzle camouflage has been outlined on her hull and painting has begun on the bow. Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-32-S. |
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Photo #: None USS Major Wheeler (ID # 3637) Pierside before or after her trial trip on 29 September 1918, probably at the yard of her builder, Hanlon Dry Dock & Ship Building Co., Oakland, Calif. Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-32-S. |
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Photo #: None USS Major Wheeler (ID # 3637) On her trial trip on 29 September 1918. Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-32-S. |
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Photo #: NH 65048 USS Major Wheeler (ID # 3637) Probably photographed on builder's trials near Oakland, California, shortly before her delivery and commissioning on 8 October 1918. She was decommissioned on 19 May 1919. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 480 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 65047 USS Major Wheeler (ID # 3637) Probably photographed near Oakland, California, shortly before her delivery and commissioning on 8 October 1918. The tug Reliance of San Francisco is alongside. Major Wheeler was decommissioned on 19 May 1919. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 490 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105269 USS Major Wheeler (ID # 3637) Probably photographed on builder's trials near Oakland, California, shortly before her delivery and commissioning on 8 October 1918. She was decommissioned on 19 May 1919. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 57KB; 740 x 415 pixels |
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