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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:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS American (ID # 2292), 1918-1919

USS American was a 5650 gross ton cargo ship built at Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1900. Employed commercially prior to World War I, she was commissioned for wartime Naval Service in May 1918. Between June and September of that year the ship made two round-trip voyages to France. On 7 October 1918, while steaming in convoy during the initial leg of a third such trip, she collided with USS West Gate (ID # 3216). The latter rapidly sank, with the loss of seven of her crew, and American had to go to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for repairs. She began another voyage, to Gibraltar, in late November, more than two weeks after the Armistice. USS American arrived back in New York City in February 1919 and was returned to her owners a month later.

This page features our only view of American (ID # 2292).

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

Photo #: NH 100116 USS American (ID # 2292) Photographed in port, probably at New York between February and May 1918. Note the ship's name in raised letters just below the deck edge. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 510 pixels

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Page made 23 November 2002