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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 George Washington (ID # 3018), 1917-1919 --
Views taken during President Wilson's European Voyages
Between December 1918 and July 1919 USS George Washington carried President Woodrow Wilson across the Atlantic four times, twice eastbound to participate in World War I peace negotiations and twice westbound, returning him to the United States. It was the first major overseas trip by any American Head of State. Except for a brief break in February and March 1919, President Wilson was out of the country for more than half a year.
Wilson's first trip on George Washington began at New York on 4 December. Convoyed by the battleship Pennsylvania (BB-38) and ten destroyers, the transport's nine-day voyage brought her near Brest, France, on the morning of the 13th. Met there by a large force of U.S. Navy battleships and destroyers that had been serving in European waters, she was ceremoniously escorted into the port, where the President disembarked to continue his journey to Paris by rail. Following two months of negotiations, he reembarked on George Washington on 15 February 1919 to return to the United States, arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, on 23 February. The ship then steamed back to New York to prepare for further work.
After but ten days at home, during which he endeavored without much success to build Congressional support for his diplomacy, on 5 March 1919 President Wilson departed New York on George Washington to begin his second trip to Europe. Upon arrival at Brest on 13 March he returned to Paris, where negotiations with the other major allied powers were so difficult that, on 7 April, Wilson publicly inquired when George Washington could take him home. She was not immediately available, being actively employed returning U.S. service personnel from the former war zone. In any case, the President remained in Paris until the Treaty of Versailles had been signed. On 29 June Woodrow Wilson boarded USS George Washington for his final Atlantic voyage, which ended at New York (actually Hoboken, New Jersey, the ship's normal terminal) on 8 July 1919.
This page features undated views concerning USS George Washington (ID # 3018) during President Woodrow Wilson's trips between the U.S. and France in December 1918 -- July 1919, and provides links to images on this subject that can be attributed to a particular voyage.
For other pictures related to this subject, see:
For additional images concerning this ship, see:
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
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Photo #: NH 103172 President Woodrow Wilson (right center) On board USS George Washington (ID # 3018) circa December 1918 - March 1919, during one of his voyages to or from France. Mrs. Wilson is in the left center. The original image is printed on postal card ("AZO") stock. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Admiral Albert Gleaves, USN. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 425 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 100631 President Woodrow Wilson On board USS George Washington (ID # 3018) during one of his voyages between the United States and France, December 1918 - July 1919. Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1986. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 57KB; 740 x 535 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 104819 USS George Washington (ID # 3018) Halftone reproduction of a photograph of President Woodrow Wilson on the ship's port bridge wing, circa December 1918 - March 1919. It was published in 1919 by the National Specialties Company of New York City as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning USS George Washington. President Wilson is in the center, with ship's officers, members of the President's party and U.S. Marines also present. Note the engine order telegraph, pelorus and megaphone. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 100632 USS George Washington (ID # 3018) Passengers playing deck games, probably during one of President Woodrow Wilson's voyages to or from Europe, circa December 1918 - July 1919. Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1986. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 480 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 100634 C-92 (French Submarine Chaser, 1918-1935. Formerly the U.S. Navy SC-390) Alongside USS George Washington (ID # 3018) with a military band playing on her foredeck, probably at Brest, France, during one of President Woodrow Wilson's arrivals or departures, circa December 1918 - June 1919. Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1986. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 540 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 57089 Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels (seated) Talks via radio to President Woodrow Wilson, who is on board USS George Washington (ID # 3018) nearly 700 miles at sea. Photographed at the Naval Radio Station, Annapolis, Maryland. Commander Percy W. Foote, USN, Aide to Secretary Daniels, is standing at right. Photograph may have been taken in February-March 1919. Note the overseas service chevron on Commander Foote's jacket sleeve. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 565 pixels |
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For other pictures related to this subject, see:
For additional images concerning this ship, see:
Return to WWI Auxiliaries.Page made 19 December 2005
New image added 28 May 2007