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

Photo #  NH 105414:  Ferry lighter Traffic bringing troops to a transport for passage home to the United States, 1919


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

Traffic (Anglo-French Ferry Lighter, 1911).
Later renamed Ingenieur Riebell

Traffic, a 675 ton coastal and harbor steamer, was built for the White Star Line at Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1910-1911 to carry passengers to and from trans-Atlantic liners at Cherbourg, France. She was a smaller companion to the better-known steamer Nomadic. In April 1912 Traffic took Third Class passengers out to the new passenger liner Titanic, whose tragic collision with an iceburg on 14 April resulted in the loss of more than fifteen hundred lives.

In 1917-1919 Traffic was employed in Brest harbor, France, as a ferry lighter. Apparently operated under French Government authority, she was active in carrying American troops and other personnel between transports and the shore. After returning to Cherbourg she resumed service as a civilian passenger liner tender. Later renamed Ingenieur Riebell, the ship was scuttled in June 1940 as part of French efforts to block Cherbourg harbor. Reportedly, she was subsequently salvaged and employed by the Germans until sunk in January 1941.

You can use any general Internet search engine to find more information on SS Traffic.

This page features the only views we have concerning the ferry lighter Traffic.


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 104739

S.S. Traffic
(White Star Line ferry lighter)

With her decks crowded with troops, probably for transfer to a transport at Brest, France, circa 1919.
The original photograph was printed on "AZO" post card stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 54KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105414

S.S. Traffic
(White Star Line Ferry Lighter)

Bringing troops from shore to a transport for passage home to the United States, 1919. Location is probably Brest, France.
Note that Traffic, though owned by a British shipping line, is flying the French flag.
The original image is printed on postcard ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 475 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105072

White Star Line ferry lighters Nomadic
(inboard)
and Traffic (outboard)

Transferring troops to USS Imperator (ID # 4080) at Brest, France, for passage home to the United States, 10 June 1919.
The stern of the U.S. Navy personnel lighter Rin Tin Tin is in the right foreground. The small ship in the middle distance is the personnel lighter Amackassin. Faintly visible in the center distance is a U.S. Navy cruiser, either USS Saint Louis (Cruiser # 20) or USS Charleston (Cruiser # 22).
The original photograph was printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 75KB; 450 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 104812

"Gobs Coaling at Brest, 6-10-19"


U.S. Navy Sailors coaling USS Imperator (ID # 4080) at Brest, France, on 10 June 1919.
In addition to the coal barges, three ferry lighters are alongside Imperator and another is in the middle distance. That closest to the camera, alongside one of the coal barges, is Rin Tin Tin. The other three lighters are crowded with troops awaiting transfer to the transport for passage to the United States. The two directly aft of Rin Tin Tin are the White Star Line's Nomadic (inboard) and Traffic (outboard). That in the middle distance is Amackassin. The ship faintly visible in the center distance is either USS Saint Louis (Cruiser # 20) or USS Charleston (Cruiser # 22).
The original photograph was printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 81KB; 445 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105416

S.S. Traffic
(White Star Line Ferry Lighter)

Coming alongside a transport to transfer troops for passage home to the United States, 1919. Location is probably Brest, France.
This photo shows Traffic's superstructure, seen from off her the port quarter.
The ship in the background is either USS Finland (ID # 4543) or USS Kroonland (ID # 1541).
The original image is printed on postcard ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 475 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105415

S.S. Traffic
(White Star Line Ferry Lighter)

Transferring troops to a transport for passage home to the United States, 1919. Location is probably Brest, France.
This photo shows Traffic's superstructure, seen from off her the port quarter.
The ship in the background is either USS Finland (ID # 4543) or USS Kroonland (ID # 1541).
The original image is printed on postcard ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 475 pixels

 



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 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 27 February 2010
    Minor caption error corrected 27 December 2010