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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 66052: S.S. Bunker Hill in port, circa 1907


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

S.S. Bunker Hill (American Coastal Passenger Ship, 1907).
Was USS Aroostook (ID # 1256, later CM-3 and AK-44) in 1917-1943

Bunker Hill, a 4779 gross ton coastal passenger steamship, was built in 1907 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a decade of commercial employment she was acquired by the U.S. Navy in November 1917, renamed Aroostook (ID # 1256) and placed in commission in December of that year. The ship was subsequently converted to a minelayer and had some thirteen years of active Naval service in that role and as an aircraft tender. Laid up in 1931, she was considered for reactivation in 1941 and reclassified as a cargo ship (with the new hull number AK-44), but remained inactive until stricken from the Navy list in February 1943. Reverting to her original name, she was sold for scrapping in 1947.

This page features our only views of the passenger steamer Bunker Hill, which became USS Aroostook (ID # 1256, later CM-3 and AK-44) in 1917.

For images concerning this ship after she entered U.S. Navy service, see:

  • USS Aroostook (ID # 1256, later CM-3 and AK-44), 1917-1943.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

    Photo #: NH 66052

    S.S. Bunker Hill     (American Passenger Steamship, 1907)

    Probably at the Cramp shipyard, Philadelphia, when first completed in 1907.
    This ship became USS Aroostook (ID # 1256, later CM-3) in 1917.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 535 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 90614

    S.S. Bunker Hill     (American Passenger Steamship, 1907)

    Possibly photographed in about November 1917, when she was acquired by the Navy. She became USS Aroostook (ID # 1256).

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 40KB; 740 x 305 pixels

     


    One of the ships in the background of the following photograph is Aroostook (SP-1256), formerly S.S. Bunker Hill. The view was taken after her acquisition by the Navy and renaming, but before much, if any, conversion work had been done:

    Photo #: NH 102576

    USS Yacona     (SP-617)

    At the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts, circa December 1917, painted in pattern camouflage.
    Built in 1898 and previously named Cem and Amelia, the steam yacht Yacona was acquired by the Navy on 29 September 1917 and commissioned on 10 December 1917. She was transferred to the Government of the Philippines on 27 July 1921.
    Yacht Isabel, then being prepared for service as USS Isabel (SP-521), is on the other side of the pier from Yacona. Steamers in the background are Aroostook (ID # 1256, formerly S.S. Bunker Hill) and Massachusetts, which became USS Shawmut (ID # 1255).

    The original photograph is in Record Group 19-LCM in the National Archives.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 424 pixels

     

    For images concerning this ship after she entered U.S. Navy service, see:

  • USS Aroostook (ID # 1256, later CM-3 and AK-44), 1917-1943.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 9 October 2004
    New image added 30 November 2004