The German 16,971 gross ton passenger liner Cleveland, built in 1909 at Hamburg, was turned over to the United States after the World War I Armistice. She was placed in commission as USS Mobile (ID # 4043) in late March 1919 and soon began work as a trans-Atlantic troop transport. During the next five months she brought over 21,000 servicemen back to the United States from Europe. USS Mobile was decommissioned in November 1919 and transferred to the U.S. Shipping Board. She later became a British passenger ship, carrying immigrants from the United Kingdom to the U.S. and, after being renamed King Alexander, from Greece to New York. She returned to U.S. registry in 1923 under her original name, Cleveland, for operation between America and Germany. The ship was purchased by German interests in 1926.
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Photo #: NR&L(M) 34142 S.S. Cleveland (German passenger vessel, 1909) In Cowes Roads, Isle of Wight, in late March 1919 being taken over by the U.S. under the terms of the armistice with Germany. She is flying the blue and white flag of the Inter-Allied Commission, which had temporarily allocated nine large German passenger vessels to the U.S. to return its troops home. Also taken over at this time were Patricia, Graf Waldersee, Pretoria, Zeppelin, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm, and Cap Finisterre. The larger Imperator was delayed because she was stuck in the mud in Germany. The transfer was directed by Cdr. Theodore G. Ellyson, USN (the Navy's first aviator) embarked in USS Corsair (SP-159) and assisted by USS Woolsey (DD-77), Lea (DD-118), Tarbell (DD-142), and Yarnell (DD-143), along with some subchasers including SC-254 and the supply ship USS Rappahannock. Collection of Cdr. Theodore G. Ellyson, USN. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (on an NR&L mountcard). |
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Photo #: NH 102878 USS Mobile (ID # 4043) In New York Harbor, with her decks crowded with U.S. troops returning from Europe, 1919. Photographed by E. Muller, Jr. Mobile was formerly the German passenger steamship Cleveland. Courtesy of Boatswain's Mate First Class Robert G. Tippins, USN (Retired), 2005. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 59KB; 740 x 470 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 46381 USS Mobile (ID # 4043) In New York Harbor, while returning U.S. troops from Europe, 1919. Photographed by E. Muller, Jr. Mobile was formerly the German passenger steamship Cleveland. Donation of N. Ballard, 1963. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 510 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 104953 USS Mobile (ID # 4043) In a harbor, 1919. The original photograph is printed on post card ("AZO") stock. A hand-written inscription on the reverse of the original reads: "The Transport on which I sailed back to the states ... from France. Kenneth R. Wright". Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 470 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105388 USS Mobile (ID # 4043) Retouched reproduction of a photograph taken circa mid-1919, after the ship had been fitted with life rafts. Published on a post card by A.M. Simon, 32 Union Square, New York City, who also published many "Souvenir Folders" of World War I era Navy transports and larger combat ships. See Photo # NH 105388-A for a view of the reverse side of this postcard. Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2007. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image size: 71KB; 740 x 485 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105609 USS Mobile (ID # 4043) Photographed circa 1919. This former German passenger liner was in commission as a Navy troop transport from March to November 1919. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 54KB; 570 x 675 pixels |
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Page made 10 November 2002