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UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

Photo #  NH 105243:  SS Sylvan Arrow, circa early 1918


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

Sylvan Arrow (American Tanker, 1917).
Served as USS Sylvan Arrow (ID # 2150) in 1918-1919

Sylvan Arrow, a 7797 gross ton tanker, was built at Camden, New Jersey, in 1917. She was taken over by the Navy and commissioned in July 1918 as USS Sylvan Arrow (ID # 2150). As a unit of the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, she made two voyages to England, carrying fuel oil and deck cargo, before the Armistice ended World War I combat in November. In January 1919, a little over a month after returning to the U.S. at the end of her second trans-Atlantic round-trip, USS Sylvan Arrow was decommissioned and returned to her owner.

The ship had over two decades of additional commercial service, with no changes of name. On 20 May 1942, while operating in the Caribbean Sea, S.S. Sylvan Arrow was torpedoed by the German submarine U-155. The badly damaged tanker was abandoned, but remained afloat. She sank on 28 May, following unsuccessful attempts to tow her to port.

This page features all available views concerning the tanker Sylvan Arrow, which served as USS Sylvan Arrow (ID # 2150) in 1918-1919.


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

Photo #: NH 102247

Sylvan Arrow
(American Tanker, 1917)

Launching, at the New York Shipbuilding Co. shipyard, Camden, New Jersey.
This ship was acquired by the Navy on 15 July 1918 and commissioned on 19 July as USS Sylvan Arrow (ID # 2150). She was returned to her owner on 21 January 1919.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 82KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105640

S.S. Sylvan Arrow
(American tanker, 1917)

Possibly photographed when the ship was inspected by the Third Naval District in January 1918.
This tanker served as USS Sylvan Arrow (ID # 2150) from July 1918 to January 1919. Note the ice surrounding the ship and the probable gun position on the bow.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 61KB; 570 x 675 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105243

S.S. Sylvan Arrow
(American Tanker, 1917)

Photographed circa early 1918. This tanker, completed in January 1918, was in commission as USS Sylvan Arrow (ID # 2150) from 19 July 1918 to 21 January 1919.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 235 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105923

S.S. Sylvan Arrow
(American tanker, 1917)

In port at Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on 23 January 1920.
This tanker served as USS Sylvan Arrow from July 1918 to January 1919.

Donation of Captain Stephen S. Roberts, USNR (Retired), 2008.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 550 pixels

 


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


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    Page made 14 October 2003
    New image added 11 January 2009