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

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

S.S. Willimantic (American Freighter, 1918)
Served as USS Willimantic (ID # 3549) in 1918-1919.

Willimantic, a 5100 gross ton (10,690 tons displacement) freighter, was completed at Seattle, Washington, in October 1918. She was commissioned in the Navy on 2 November 1918 as USS Willimantic (ID # 3549). After loading a cargo of flour the freighter sailed in December for New York, where she bunkered and steamed in January to Gibraltar to await orders. Directed to Fiume, Willimantic arrived there in February and discharged her cargo. The ship returned to New York in ballast in April. USS Willimantic was decommissioned on 21 April 1919 and returned to the U.S. Shipping Board. S.S. Willimantic remained in Shipping Board and U.S. Maritime Commission hands until transferred to the British in early 1942. She was sunk by gunfire from a submarine on 24 June 1942.

This page features the only view we have concerning the American freighter Willimantic, which was USS Willimantic (ID # 3549) in 1918-1919.

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

Photo #: NH 65082 S.S. Willimantic (American freighter, 1918) Being launched at the Seattle Construction and Dry Dock Co., Seattle, Washington, on 29 May 1918. Note the elaborate bow decorations. The tug Prosper of Seattle is assisting. This freighter was in commission as USS Willimantic (ID # 3549) from 2 November 1918 to 21 April 1919. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 490 pixels

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Page made 8 December 2007