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UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

Photo # NH 54659: German steamer Prinz Eitel Friedrich interned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 28 March 1917


Online Library of Selected Images:
-- CIVILIAN SHIPS --

Prinz Eitel Friedrich (German Passenger Liner, 1904).
Later German Auxiliary Cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich, USS DeKalb (ID # 3010) and Commercial Steamer DeKalb and Mount Clay

Prinz Eitel Friedrich, a 8797 gross ton passenger liner, was launched at Stettin, Germany, in 1904. She spent nearly a decade in commercial service under the flag of North German Lloyd. When the First World War broke out in August 1914 Prinz Eitel Friedrich was at Tsingtau, China, where she was quickly converted to an auxiliary cruiser for the German Navy. For the next seven months the ship operated on the high seas with Vice Admiral von Spee's squadron and as a detached commerce raider. Among her victims while in the latter role was the schooner William P. Frye, captured on 27 January 1915 and scuttled the next day, the first U.S. flag vessel sunk in World War I.

On 10 March 1915 Prinz Eitel Friedrich, now low on supplies and burdened by many prisoners, arrived at Newport News, Virginia, where she was interned. Later taken to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, she remained under the German flag until seized by the United State in April 1917. She served from May 1917 to September 1919 as USS DeKalb, then returned to civilian control, initially as DeKalb and, after 1920, as Mount Clay. After briefly operating for the United American Lines during the first half of the 1920s, the ship was laid up. She was scrapped in 1934.

This page features all available views related to the German passenger liner Prinz Eitel Friedrich, which was USS DeKalb during 1917-19.

For pictures of this ship during her U.S. Navy service, see:

  • USS DeKalb (ID # 3010).


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

    Photo #: NH 54659

    Prinz Eitel Friedrich     (German Passenger Liner, 1904)

    Interned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 28 March 1917. Behind her is the liner Kronprinz Wilhelm.
    These ships were seized when the United States entered World War I and subsequently served as USS DeKalb (ID # 3010) and Von Steuben (ID # 3017).

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 94986

    German Passenger Liners Prinz Eitel Friedrich and
    Kronprinz Wilhelm (left)

    Interned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, prior to the U.S. entry into World War I. They are still flying German flags.
    During 1917-19, these ships respectively served as USS De Kalb (ID # 3010) and USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017).
    Note U.S. Navy target raft at right.

    Courtesy of Paul H. Silverstone, 1983.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42417

    German Passenger Liners Prinz Eitel Friedrich and
    Kronprinz Wilhelm (left)

    Interned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 26 March 1917, shortly before they were seized by the United States. Photographed from on board USS Salem.
    During 1917-19, these ships respectively served as USS De Kalb (ID # 3010) and USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017).

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 100KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42416

    German Passenger Liners Kronprinz Wilhelm and
    Prinz Eitel Friedrich (left)

    Interned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 26 March 1917, shortly before they were seized by the United States. They are still flying the German flag, and German guns are visible on Prinz Eitel Friedrich's stern.
    During 1917-19, these ships respectively served as USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017) and USS De Kalb (ID # 3010).

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42420

    German Passenger Liner Kronprinz Wilhelm

    Interned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 26 March 1917, shortly before she was seized by the United States. Visible on her opposite side are the masts and funnels of the interned liner Prinz Eitel Friedrich.
    During 1917-19, these ships respectively served as USS Von Steuben (ID # 3017) and USS De Kalb (ID # 3010).
    Photographed by Replogle.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54657

    Prinz Eitel Friedrich     (ex-German Passenger Liner, 1904)

    Sailors pose with empty beer barrels removed from the ship's hold, 20 April 1917, soon after she was seized by the United States.
    She was refitted for U.S. Navy service at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, renamed DeKalb and commissioned on 12 May 1917.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 118KB; 740 x 575 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54658

    Prinz Eitel Friedrich     (ex-German Passenger Liner, 1904)

    Sailors on the pier at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, with items removed from the ship's hold, 20 April 1917, soon after she was seized by the United States. Empty wine bottles are specifically identified, in left center.
    The ship, seen in the background, was refitted for U.S. Navy service, renamed DeKalb and commissioned on 12 May 1917.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 132KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54663

    SS DeKalb     (American Passenger Liner, 1904)

    In the Hudson River near Sputtan Duyvill Creek, on 16 December 1919, after she had been damaged by fire. The fire broke out while the ship was lying ready to be converted to an oil burner for the South American trade. Her skeleton crew of 35 men was removed safely and the vessel beached.
    Built in 1904 as the German liner Prinz Eitel Friedrich, this ship served as USS DeKalb (ID # 3010) in 1917-1919.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     

    For pictures of this ship during her U.S. Navy service, see:

  • USS DeKalb (ID # 3010).


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    Page made 3 June 2003