History of the Naval Overseas Transportation Service in World War I
byLEWIS P. CLEPHANE
and Naval History DivisionWith an Introduction by
Rear Admiral Ernest McNeill Eller, USN (Retired)
Director of Naval HistoryNaval History Division
Washington: 1969
A convoy with aerial escort nears Brest in 1918. NOTS transported six million tons of supplies overseas. [NR&L(M) 10075]
Introduction
Preface
"The vessels in the sea trade of a country are safe from attack if it's possible enemmies believe that its Navy is capable of inflicting intolerable damage upoin the interests of the attacker. . . ."WILLIAM S. SIMS.
Contents
"The United States Navy has met changing conditions of warfare with changing weapons and tactics. But despite those elements of change, one fundamental fact remains unaltered: the sea is still at our gates--east, west, south, and north as well.
CHESTER W. NIMITZ
Officers' ranks are contemporaneous with the event unless otherwise noted. All rank abbreviations are those commonly used and are not entered in the following list: Abbreviations
B Seagoing barge. C Cargo vessel. F Collier. H Horse transport and cargo. M Mine carrier and cargo. R Refrigerator. T Tanker. A Army account. N Navy account. SB Shipping Board account. CTF Cruiser and Transport Force AEF American Expeditionary Force NOTS Naval Overseas Transportation Service Compiled July 1920 by the Historical Section, ONI, from best available records.
"Supply and transport stand or fall together; history depends on both."WINSTON CHURCHILL
Illustrations
Page
Page
Page "The nation's honor is dearer than the nation's comfort; yes, than the nation's life itself."
WOODROW WILSON
Charts
Page "Combat and Logistics are the two sides of the same Military coin."
Vice Admiral George Dyer
Brief Synopsis of the Organization and Accomplishments of the Naval Overseas Transportation Service
On 16 March 1916 SS Manchuria was the first armed merchantman of the U.S. to sail for the War Zone.
She mounted 2 4" forward, 1 6" aft, 21 pd. rapid fire guns, and 2 Lewis Machineguns.
Photo taken in 1912. [NR&L(M) 18229]
Number of Vessels Assigned NOTS.
USS F. J. Luckenbach transported 26,232 tons of cargo overseas while serving with NOTS. After the Armistice she was transferred to Cruiser and Transport Force to assist in returning the troops home. [NR&L(M) 4385]
USS Glacier, constructed in 1891, had 1,000 cubic ft. of refrigerated space. She served in the Navy from 1898 to 1922. [NR&L(M) 4003]