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UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

Photo # NH 97668: USS Von Steuben in New York Harbor, 1919

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

USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017), 1917-1919

USS Von Steuben, a 23,500-ton troop transport, was built in Stettin, Germany, in 1901 as the passenger liner Kronprinz Wilhelm. She served as a German Navy commerce raider during the first eight months of World War I, then was interned in the United States from April 1915 until April 1917. Kronprinz Wilhelm was seized when the U.S. entered the conflict, turned over to the Navy and commissioned as USS Von Steuben in June 1917. Initially intended to serve as an auxiliary cruiser, her mission was changed to troop carrying in September, while she was still in the shipyard for repairs and alterations.

Von Steuben began her active service in late September 1917. She operated along the U.S. east coast until the end of October, when she left New York to take U.S. troops and other personnel to Europe. This voyage was marred by a collision with USS Agamemnon on 9 November, but the ship successfully delivered her passengers to Brest, France. In December, on the return leg of the trip, Von Steuben rendered assistance at Halifax, Nova Scotia, after the explosion there of the ammunition ship Mont Blanc. After a few months of operations between the U.S. and Panama, the tranport returned to trans-Atlantic troop transport duty in February 1918. Up to the Armistice in November of that year, Von Steuben completed eight more round-trips to France. This essential work was marked by several notable incidents, including the explosion of one of her guns in March, an unsuccessful attack by the German submarine U-151 in June and the rescue of some two-thousand passengers from the burning transport USS Henderson in July. During September and October, she weathered a severe storm and suffered an outbreak of influenza on board that took nearly three-dozen lives.

Under repair from November 1918, Von Steuben resumed transport service in early March 1919 and brought thousands of Americans home from Europe over the next several months. The ship was decommissioned in October 1919 and turned over to the U.S. Shipping Board. Under the names Baron Von Steuben and Von Steuben, she operated in commercial service until 1923, when she was scrapped.

This page features, or provides links to, all the views that are available concerning the World War I era troop transport USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017).

For other images related to this ship while she was in U.S. Navy service, see:

  • USS Von Steuben -- Part II,
  • USS Von Steuben -- On Board, Close-Up and Crew, and
  • USS Von Steuben -- On Board Views (Part II).

    For views of this ship when she was under German ownership, see:

  • Kronprinz Wilhelm (German Passenger Liner, 1901).


    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 97998

    USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017)

    In port, 31 October 1917.
    USS Iowa (Battleship # 4) is behind her.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105069

    USS Von Steuben     (ID # 3017)

    At anchor, circa late 1917 or early 1918.
    The original photograph is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.
    The original card bears a hand-written inscription "3-14-19", which may be the date that the original owner was on Von Steuben. It is not the date of the photograph, as the configuration of the ship's masts, and the presence of guns, strongly indicates that it was taken about a year earlier.

    Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2007.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image size: 53KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101626

    USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017)

    Photographed during World War I. Note her odd camouflage scheme: a destroyer silhouette painted on her side.

    Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1987.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 410 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42418

    USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017)

    Alongside a pier at New York City, 28 June 1918.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42419

    USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017)

    At New York City, circa 1918-19, decorated with signal flags for a parade of New York's 27th Division.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97668

    USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017)

    In New York Harbor in 1919, probably upon arrival, while returning troops from France.
    Photographed by Enrique Muller.

    Donation of Larry Speaks, 2001.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 430 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105322

    USS Von Steuben     (ID # 3017)

    Underway in New York Harbor, 1919.
    Panoramic photograph by the National Photo Service, Inc., New York.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral Frederick J. Horne.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 100KB; 2000 x 510 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105396

    USS Von Steuben     (ID # 3017)

    Arriving at New York on 1 September 1919, bringing home from France Soldiers of the First Division Headquarters; Seventh Field Artillery; First Machine Gun Battalion; First Ammunition Train; Ambulance Companies Two, Three and Twelve; and Field Hospital Number Twelve.
    Panoramic photograph by Head-Mayberry, 488 Seventh Avenue, New York City.
    Assisting Von Steuben are a U.S. Army tug (far right) and the tug Jennie S. Wade (right center foreground).

    Donation of Ione J. Musall Ladd, 2007, from the collection of her Father, William Edward Musall, who served in USS Von Steuben during the World War I era.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image size: 125KB; 1200 x 490 pixels

     


    For other images related to this ship while she was in U.S. Navy service, see:

  • USS Von Steuben -- Part II,
  • USS Von Steuben -- On Board, Close-Up and Crew, and
  • USS Von Steuben -- On Board Views (Part II).

    For views of this ship when she was under German ownership, see:

  • Kronprinz Wilhelm (German Passenger Liner, 1901).


    Return to WWI Auxiliaries.

    Page made 29 September 2001
    New images added and page divided 8 February 2008