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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo #  NH 100549:  SS Finland Underway in a U.S. harbor, prior to World War I


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

Finland (American Passenger Liner, 1902).
Served as USS Finland (ID # 4543) in 1918-1919

Finland, a 12,700 gross ton passenger steamship, was built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1902. After a decade and a half of commercial operation she was chartered by the U.S. Army in June 1917 and used to carry troops to Europe. While off the French coast on 28 October 1917 the ship was torpedoed by the German submarine U-93. Though seriously damaged, with nine men killed, she was able to make port for repairs at Brest. In April 1918 she was transferred to the Navy and placed in commission as USS Finland. The ship was decommissioned in November 1919 and returned to the War Department. She subsequently resumed commercial service and was scrapped in England in 1928.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning the passenger liner Finland of 1902.

For more views related to this ship, see:

  • USS Finland (ID # 4543), 1918-1919.


    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 100549

    SS Finland
    (American Passenger Steamship, 1902)

    Underway in a U.S. harbor, prior to World War I.
    After service as an Army-chartered transport in 1917, this ship was acquired by the Navy on 24 April 1918 and placed in commission as USS Finland two days later. She was decommissioned and returned to the Army on 15 November 1919. At some point during or shortly after her Navy service she was assigned the registry ID # 4543.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 355 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103300

    S.S. Finland
    (American Passenger Ship, 1902)

    Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken prior to World War I. She was USS Finland (ID # 4543) in 1918-1919.
    This image is one of ten photographs published circa 1918-1919 in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning USS Finland.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 510 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104079-KN (color)

    Jewish Welfare Board Soldiers & Sailors Post Card

    Front side of a card issued to U.S. servicemen during the World War I era. It features a view of S.S. Finland, which served as USS Finland (ID # 4543) in 1918-1919.
    The reverse side of this card is seen in Photo # NH 104079-A-KN.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 485 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104079-A-KN (color)

    Jewish Welfare Board Soldiers & Sailors Post Card

    Reverse side of a card issued to U.S. servicemen during the World War I era. Its front side, seen in Photo # NH 104079-KN, features a view of S.S. Finland, which served as USS Finland (ID # 4543) in 1918-1919.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 42KB; 740 x 485 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 106705

    S.S. Finland
    (American Passenger Liner, 1902)

    Wearing World War I neutrality markings, circa 1914-1917.
    This ship served as USS Finland (ID # 4543) in 1918-1919.
    The original image is printed on post card stock.

    Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2009.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 109KB; 900 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53905

    SS Finland
    (American Passenger Steamship, 1902)

    Photographed while serving as a transport during World War I, probably in 1917. She was USS Finland (ID # 4543) in 1918-1919.
    This view, which shows her in one of the experimental camouflage schemes used in about 1917, has been heavily retouched.

    Courtesy of the International Merchantile Marine Company, New York City.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 555 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 41745

    USS Alcedo
    (SP-166), left center, and
    USS Wakiva II (SP-160), at right

    Picking up survivors in 1917.
    This photograph was probably taken on 28 October 1917, when these two converted yachts picked up men who had left the torpedoed transport Finland. The two-stacked ship in the center distance, beyond Alcedo's bow, appears to have four masts and is probably Finland, which survived the incident and later served as USS Finland (ID # 4543).
    USS Alcedo was torpedoed and sunk on 5 November 1917.

    Courtesy of Mr. W.D. Porter, November 1937.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 43KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53906

    SS Finland
    (American Passenger Steamship, 1902)

    In drydock at Brest, France, showing damage received when whe was torpedoed on 28 October 1917.
    This ship was USS Finland (ID # 4543) in 1918-1919.

    Courtesy of Captain John P. Cummings, USNR (Dental Corps), Retired.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 450 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53907

    King George V, of England
    (center foreground, with beard)

    Inspecting the armament of the American troop transport Finland, at Liverpool during World War I. Standing by the King's left shoulder is Lieutenant Commander Stanton L.H. Hazard, USN, who commanded the Navy gun crews on board the ship. The gun at left appears to be a 4"/40.
    This ship was USS Finland (ID # 4543) in 1918-1919 and was an Army-chartered transport in 1917.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 132KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     

    Additional image that may concern this ship: Photo # NH 41743 may have been taken during the rescue of men who had abandoned Finland when she was torpedoed on 28 October 1917.


    For more views related to this ship, see:

  • USS Finland (ID # 4543), 1918-1919.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


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


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 3 December 2003
    New image added 19 December 2009