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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo #  NH 85655:  S.S. West Carnifax in port, after World War I


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

S.S. West Carnifax (American Freighter, 1918).
Served as USS West Carnifax (ID # 3812) in 1918-1919

West Carnifax, a 6146 gross ton (12,211-tons displacement) freighter was built at San Pedro, California, as part of the World War I ship constrution program. Completed in late 1918, shortly after the conflict's end, she was turned over to the Navy at the end of the year and placed in commission at that time as USS West Carnifax (ID # 3812). Her maiden voyage, with a cargo of food, took her through the Panama Canal to the East Coast. In March 1919 she steamed across the Atlantic to Hamburg, Germany, where she unloaded before returning to the United States. West Carnifax was decommissioned in May 1919 and returned to the U.S. Shipping Board. In the later 1920s she was acquired by the Export Steamship company, which renamed her Exford. Later renamed Pan Royal by the Pan Atlantic Steamship Corporation, she was turned over to the War Shipping Administration in March 1942. The ship was sunk in collision while steaming in convoy on 9 February 1943. Eight crewmen lost their lives in this accident.

This page features the only views we have concerning the freighter West Carnifax, which was USS West Carnifax (ID # 3812) in 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 85655

S.S. West Carnifax
(American Freighter, 1918)

In port, after World War I.
After completion, this ship was commissioned as USS West Carnifax (ID # 3812) on 31 December 1918. She was returned to the U.S. Shipping Board on 9 May 1919. She was operated by the Export Steamship Corporation in 1927-1928.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 285 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102938

S.S. West Carnifax
(American Freighter, 1918)

In a European port, circa 1919.
Note U.S. Navy officer and two armed guards on the wharf.
This ship served as USS West Carnifax (ID # 3812) between the end of December 1918 and May 1919.

Collection of Walter F. Merdian. Courtesy of his son, Walter M. Merdian, 1977.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 485 pixels

 


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


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Page made 29 October 2005