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Photo # NH 102910: S.S. West Avenal, 1919

U.S. NAVY TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS, 1917-1919

WORLD WAR I ERA CARGO SHIPS --
with One Smokestack, Two Single Masts, Three Raised Hull Islands, and One Pair of Kingposts Aft of the Bridge Face

Fifty-two of the U.S. Navy's WWI era cargo ships had one smokestack, two single masts, three raised hull islands, and one pair of kingposts aft of the bridge face.

To facilitate identification, these vessels have been placed in fifteen sub-groups, some containing ships of essentially identical design ("sister ships"), while others consist of quite different designs. The latter are further subdivided as to whether they were built in the United States or abroad.

This page features a table (with links to individual ships) of World War I era U.S. Navy cargo ships with one smokestack, two single masts, three raised hull islands, and one pair of kingposts aft of the bridge face, plus a photograph of each ship in this group.


Ships in this group:

FIFTY-TWO SHIPS with ONE SMOKESTACK, TWO SINGLE MASTS, THREE RAISED HULL ISLANDS, AND ONE PAIR OF KINGPOSTS AFT OF THE BRIDGE FACE, subdivided as shown below:


Click the small photographs to prompt a larger view of the same image with a descriptive header.


SIX SHIPS -- Foreign built

  • Bussum, USN 1918-1919 (Dutch built, ex Dutch S.S. Bussum, 1917).
    • 3683 Gross Tons, Length 360', Beam 48', Comm. 27 Mar 18, Decom. 16 May 18, ID # 2468
  • Dubhe, USN 1918-1918 (Dutch built, ex Dutch S.S. Dubhe, 1912).
    • 3233 Gross Tons, Length 332', Beam 48.2', Comm. 2 Apr 18, Decom. 6 Apr 18, ID # 2562
  • Keresan, USN 1918-1919 (British built, ex Austrian S.S. Electra, 1912).
    • 4507 Gross Tons, Length 348.4', Beam 50.1', Comm. 18 Sep 18, Decom. 26 Jun 19, ID # 1806
  • Lydia, USN 1918-1919 (British built, ex Austrian S.S. Szell Kalman, 1902).
    • 3905 Gross Tons, Length 366' oa, Beam 48.2', Comm. 26 Oct 18, Decom. 15 May 19, ID # 3524
  • Norlina, USN 1918-1919 (British built, ex British S.S. Georgiana, 1909).
    • 4596 Gross Tons, Length 385', Beam 50.75', Comm. 1 May 18, Decom. 2 May 19, ID # 1597
  • Winterswijk, USN 1918-1919 (ex Dutch S.S. Winterswijk, 1914).
    • 3205 Gross Tons, Length 320.0', Beam 47.4', Comm. 2 Apr 18, Decom. 27 Apr 18, ID # 2567

     S.S. Bussum, 1918:
     S.S. Dubhe:
     USS Keresan, 1918:
     S.S. Lydia:
     S.S. Norlina, circa 1916:
     S.S. Winterswijk, 1914:


    TWO SHIPS -- Japanese built (purchased by the U. S. Shipping Board before completion)

  • Eastern Light, USN 1918-1919 (Japanese built, ex American S.S. Eastern Light, 1918).
    • 7056 Gross Tons, Length 416.0', Beam 33.7', Comm. 6 Dec 18, Decom. 16 Apr 19, ID # 3585
  • Eastport, USN 1918-1919 (Japanese built, ex American S.S. Eastport, 1918).
    • 4381 Gross Tons, Length 345' oa, Beam 49.7', Comm. 18 Oct 18, Decom. 18 Jun 19, ID # 3342

    .
     USS Eastern Light, 1918:
     S.S. Eastport:

    		 .


    FIVE SHIPS -- Miscellaneous American built

  • Auburn, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Auburn, 1918).
    • 6047 Gross Tons, Length 401.0', Beam 54.0', Comm. 24 Jan 19, Decom. 22 Feb 19, ID # 3842
  • Indianapolis, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Indianapolis, 1918).
    • 8164 Gross Tons, Length 439.5', Beam 60.0', Comm. 12 Dec 18, Decom. 9 Jul 19, ID # 3865
  • Munrio, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Munrio, 1916).
    • 3868 Gross Tons, Length 333.5', Beam 48.2', Comm. 14 Nov 18, Decom. 3 Feb 19, ID # 2054
  • Sudbury, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Sudbury, 1917).
    • 5075 Gross Tons, Length 385', Beam 51', Comm. 5 Mar 18, Decom. 17 Apr 19, ID # 2149
  • Walter D. Munson, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Walter D. Munson, 1917).
    • 4388 Gross Tons, Length 369', Beam 48', Comm. 19 Apr 18, Decom. 14 Apr 19, ID # 1510

     USS Auburn, 1918:
     S.S. Daniel Webster, sister to Indianapolis:
     S.S. Munrio, 1916:
    .
     S.S. Sudbury as Munbeaver:
     S.S. Walter D. Munson, 1917:

    		 .


    FIVE SHIPS -- Sparrows Point 327-foot type

  • Chatham, ex Margaret, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Margaret, 1916).
    • 3372 Gross Tons, Length 327.2', Beam 46.2', Comm. 25 Mar 18, Decom. 10 Feb 19, ID # 2510
  • Clare, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Clare, 1915).
    • 3455 Gross Tons, Length 327.2', Beam 46.2', Comm. 19 Sep 18, Decom. 24 Feb 19, ID # 2774
  • Edith, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Edith, 1915).
    • 3527 Gross Tons, Length 327.2', Beam 46.2', Comm. 1 Oct 18, Decom. 10 May 19, ID # 3459
  • Munplace, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Munplace, 1916).
    • 3315 Gross Tons, Length 327.2', Beam 46.2', Comm. 31 Aug 18, Decom. 15 Feb 19, ID # 2346
  • Munsomo, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Munsomo, 1916).
    • 3315 Gross Tons, Length 327.2', Beam 46.2', Comm. 28 Jul 18, Decom. 4 Feb 19, ID # 1607

     USS Margaret, 1918:
     S.S. Clare, circa 1915:
     S.S. Edith, circa 1915:
    .
     S.S. Munplace, 1916:
     S.S. Munsomo, 1916:

    		 .


    FOUR SHIPS -- Newport News 313-foot type

  • Hilton, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Hilton, 1911).
    • 3102 Gross Tons, Length 313.4', Beam 46', Comm. 6 Nov 18, Decom. 16 Apr 19, ID # 1574
  • Jean, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Jean, 1909).
    • 3125 Gross Tons, Length 311.0', Beam 46.1', Comm. 30 Aug 18, Decom. 15 Apr 19, ID # 1308
  • L. K. Thurlow, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Lewis K. Thurlow, 1912).
    • 3101 Gross Tons, Length 313.5', Beam 46', Comm. 25 Nov 18, Decom. 27 Mar 19, ID # 2987-A
    No image has been located of USS L. K. Thurlow
  • Peter H. Crowell, USN 1917-1919 (ex American S.S. Peter H. Crowell, 1912).
    • 3101 Gross Tons, Length 313.4', Beam 46', Comm. 20 Dec 17, Decom. 20 Mar 19, ID # 2987

    .
     S.S. Hilton, 1911:
     S.S. Jean, 1917:

    		 .
    .
     USS Peter H. Crowell, circa 1918:

    		 .


    TWO SHIPS -- Newport News 395-foot type

  • Felix Taussig, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Felix Taussig, 1917).
    • 6253 Gross Tons, Length 395', Beam 55', Comm. 31 Aug 18, Decom. 26 Apr 19, ID # 2282
  • William A. McKenney, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. William A. McKenney, 1916).
    • 6256 Gross Tons, Length 395', Beam 55.1', Comm. 5 Jun 18, Decom. 31 Jan 19, ID # 2102

    .
     USS Felix Taussig, circa 1918:
     S.S. William A. McKenney, 1916:

    		 .


    FOUR SHIPS -- Newport News 370-foot type

  • Agwidale, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Agwidale, 1918).
    • 5080 Gross Tons, Length 370', Beam 53', Comm. 16 Nov 18, Decom. 11 Apr 19, ID # 4464
  • Munaires, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Munaires, 1917).
    • 5095 Gross Tons, Length 370', Beam 53', Comm. 10 Jan 18, Decom. 25 Apr 19, ID # 2197
  • Mundelta, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Mundelta, 1917).
    • 5288 Gross Tons, Length 370', Beam 53.0', Comm. 27 Apr 18, Decom. 11 Feb 19, ID # 1301
  • Munindies, USN 1917-1919 (ex American S.S. Munindies, 1917).
    • 5095 Gross Tons, Length 370', Beam 53', Comm. 17 Dec 17, Decom. 24 Jul 19, ID # 2093

     S.S. Agwidale, 1918:
     USS Munaires, 1919:
     S.S. Mundelta, 1917:
    .
     S.S. Munindies:

    		 .


    TWO SHIPS -- Texas SS Co. 421-foot type

  • Canibas, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Canibas, 1918).
    • 6846 Gross Tons, Length 421.0', Beam 54', Comm. 10 Sep 18, Decom. 4 Jun 19, ID # 3401
  • Sagadahoc, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Sagadahoc, 1918).
    • 6846 Gross Tons, Length 421', Beam 54', Comm. 9 Jul 18, Decom. 18 Aug 19, ID # 3311

    .
     USS Canibas, 1918:
     USS Sagadahoc, 1918:

    		 .


    FOUR SHIPS -- Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1014 and precursors

  • Bellingham, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Bellingham, 1918).
    • 4837 Gross Tons, Length 380.0', Beam 53.75', Comm. 30 Oct 18, Decom. 10 May 19, ID # 3552
    No image has been located of USS Bellingham
  • Chebaulip, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Chebaulip, 1918).
    • 4839 Gross Tons, Length 380.0', Beam 53.75', Comm. 11 Jul 18, Decom. 9 May 19, ID # 3141
    No image has been located of USS Chebaulip
  • Vittorio Emmanuele III, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Vittorio Emmanuele III, 1918).
    • 4855 Gross Tons, Length 380', Beam 53.75', Comm. 27 Jun 18, Decom. 4 Apr 19, ID # 3095
  • Willimantic, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Willimantic, 1918).
    • 5237 Gross Tons, Length 380.0', Beam 53', Comm. 2 Nov 18, Decom. 21 Apr 19, ID # 3549

    .
     S.S. Vittorio Emmanuele III, 1918:
     S.S. Willimantic, 1918:

    		 .


    TWO SHIPS -- Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1016

  • Fort Wayne, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Fort Wayne, 1918).
    • 6245 Gross Tons, Length 410.5', Beam 54', Comm. 27 Dec 18, Decom. 23 Apr 19, ID # 3786
  • Naiwa, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Naiwa, 1918).
    • 6240 Gross Tons, Length 410.5', Beam 54.0', Comm. 4 Nov 18, Decom. 9 May 19, ID # 3512

    .
     S.S. Fort Wayne, 1918:
     USS Naiwa, 1918:

    		 .


    FIVE SHIPS -- Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1019

  • Isanti, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Isanti, 1918).
    • 6177 Gross Tons, Length 410.5', Beam 54', Comm. 30 Sep 18, Decom. 24 Feb 19, ID # 3423
  • Nantahala, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Nantahala, 1918).
    • 6062 Gross Tons, Length 410.5', Beam 54.0', Comm. 16 Nov 18, Decom. 30 Apr 19, ID # 3519
  • Oskaloosa, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Oskaloosa, 1918).
    • 6162 Gross Tons, Length 410.5', Beam 54.0', Comm. 20 Dec 18, Decom. 27 Feb 19, ID # 3800
  • West Avenal, USN 1919-1919 (ex American S.S. West Avenal, 1918).
    • 5723 Gross Tons, Length 410.5', Beam 54.0', Comm. 1 Feb 19, Decom. 7 Apr 19, ID # 3871
  • West Carnifax, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. West Carnifax, 1918).
    • 6146 Gross Tons, Length 410.5', Beam 54', Comm. 31 Dec 18, Decom. 9 May 19, ID # 3812

    .
     USS Isanti, 1918:
     S.S. Nantahala, 1918:

    		 .
    .
     USS Oskaloosa, 1918:
     S.S. West Avenal, 1919:

    		 .
    .
     S.S. West Carnifax, circa 1919:

    		 .


    TWO SHIPS -- Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1022

  • Sac City, USN 1919-1919 (ex American S.S. Sac City, 1918).
    • 5735 Gross Tons, Length 390.0', Beam 54.0', Comm. 6 Jan 19, Decom. 17 Jun 19, ID # 3861
  • Saccarappa, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Saccarappa, 1918).
    • 5735 Gross Tons, Length 390', Beam 54', Comm. 31 Dec 18, Decom. 14 Jan 19, ID # 3828
    No image has been located of USS Saccarappa
    NOTE: Six other ships of this class were acquired by the Navy from the Shipping Board in 1921. Four served as cargo ships through World War II as USS Capella (AK-13), Sirius (AK-15), Spica (AK-16), and Vega (AK-17) and the other two became USS Antares (AG-10) and Procyon (AG-11).

    .
     USS Sac City, circa 1919:

    		 .


    THREE SHIPS -- Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1025

  • Newburgh, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Newburgh, 1918).
    • 5983 Gross Tons, Length 401', Beam 54', Comm. 31 Dec 18, Decom. 19 Jun 19, ID # 3768
  • Wathena, USN 1919-1919 (ex American S.S. Wathena, 1918).
    • 6107 Gross Tons, Length 401.0', Beam 54.0', Comm. 1 Feb 19, Decom. 10 Apr 19, ID # 3884
  • Watonwan, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Watonwan, 1918).
    • 6107 Gross Tons, Length 401', Beam 54', Comm. 4 Feb 19, Decom. 14 May 19, ID # 4296

     USS Newburgh, 1918:
     S.S. Wathena, 1918:
     S.S. Watonwan, 1918:


    FIVE SHIPS -- Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1037

  • Federal, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Federal, 1918).
    • 6868 Gross Tons, Length 395.4', Beam 55.0', Comm. 15 Nov 18, Decom. 17 Jun 19, ID # 3657
  • Liberty, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Liberty, 1918).
    • 6119 Gross Tons, Length 395.5', Beam 55', Comm. 7 Oct 18, Decom. 7 May 19, ID # 3461
  • Marne, USN 1919-1919 (ex American S.S. Marne, 1918).
    • 6868 Gross Tons, Length 395.5' wl, Beam 55.0', Comm. 3 Feb 19, Decom. 6 Feb 19, ID # 3929
  • Mercer, USN 1919-1919 (ex American S.S. Mercer, 1918).
    • 6868 Gross Tons, Length 395.5', Beam 55.0', Comm. 16 Jan 19, Decom. 3 Jun 19, ID # 3837
  • Piave, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Piave, 1918).
    • 6868 Gross Tons, Length 395.5', Beam 55.0', Comm. 18 Dec 18, Lost 29 Jan 19, ID # 3799

     USS Federal, 1918:
     USS Liberty, 1918:
     S.S. Marne, 1918:
    .
     S.S. Mercer, 1919:
     S.S. Piave, 1918:

    		 .


    ONE SHIP -- Precursor to Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1063

  • Democracy, USN 1918-1919 (ex American S.S. Jupiter, 1917).
    • 4430 Gross Tons, Length 377', Beam 52', Comm. 25 Oct 18, Decom. 15 Sep 19, ID # 2215

    .
     USS Democracy, 1919:

    		 .

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