USS Mercy, a 9450-ton (displacement) hospital ship, was built in 1907 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the commercial passenger liner Saratoga. During 1917 she was employed by the U.S. Army as a transport, and in September of that year was purchased by the Navy. Renamed Mercy (with Registry ID # 1305) a month later, she was converted to a hospital ship by the New York Navy Yard and placed in commission in late January 1918. Mercy served along the U.S. East Coast until November 1918, then began the first of four trips to France to bring home casualties of the just-concluded First World War fighting.
This work was concluded in late March 1919. Given the designation AH-4 in mid-1920, Mercy was thereafter active with the U.S. Fleet with the exception of a brief layup at the Philadelphia Navy Yard during the middle 1920s. She mainly served in the Atlantic and Caribbean areas, but appears to have visited the the Pacific Coast on occasion. In March 1934 USS Mercy was loaned to the Philadelphia branch of the Public Relief Administration. She was stricken from the Navy list in April 1938 and sold for scrapping in March 1939.
This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) and the steamer Saratoga of 1907.
For additional images related to this ship, see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital image presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 105601 S.S. Saratoga (American passenger and cargo ship, 1907) Photographed circa 1917. This ship was commissioned as the hospital ship USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) in January 1918 and was decommissioned for the last time in 1934. A steam lighter and a small Dutch cargo ship are alongside. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 465 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 60260 USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) In port, probably when first commissioned, circa early 1918. The harbor craft alongside appears to be U.S. Navy Floating Derrick # 5. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 90712 USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) In port, probably when first commissioned, circa early 1918. The harbor craft tied to her starboard side appears to be U.S. Navy Floating Derrick # 5. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 82KB; 560 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 46235 USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) Passing under the Brooklyn Bridge in early 1918, shortly after being placed in commission. Photographed by N. Moser. Collection of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN (Medical Corps). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 530 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 100914-KN (color) USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) In port during World War I, while painted in "dazzle" type camouflage. This photograph is crudely color tinted. Donation of the Oregon Military Museum, 1986. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 475 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 46238 USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) Anchored at St. Nazaire, France, during 1918. Photographed by E.J. Kelty. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 47KB; 740 x 435 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 46237 USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) Alongside a wharf at Brest, France, during 1918. Photographed by E.J. Kelty. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 36KB; 740 x 410 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 46239 USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) Anchored off New York City, during World War I. Photographed by E.J. Kelty. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 34KB; 740 x 455 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 79069 USS Thrush (Minesweeper # 18) Alongside USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4), circa 1919. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1974. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 500 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 46236 USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) Underway in harbor, circa 1919-1920 U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 595 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 61538 USS Mercy (hospital ship, later AH-4) In harbor, circa 1919. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 43KB; 740 x 405 pixels Note: Originally identified as showing USS Comfort (later AH-3), this photograph is actually of her sister, USS Mercy. |
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Photo #: NH 49824 USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) At anchor in harbor, circa 1919-1920. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 540 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 103246 USS Mercy (AH-4) In port, circa the early 1920s. Collection of Commander Haines H. Lippincott, USN(ChC). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 565 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 69511 Canadian Destroyer, either HMCS Patriot or HMCS Patrician In Pacific Coast harbor with several U.S. Navy battleships and (at right) USS Mercy (AH-4), during the 1920s. Courtesy of ESKC Joseph L. Aguillard, USNR, 1979. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 470 pixels |
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For additional images related to this ship, see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital image presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 30 November 2005
New image added 8 April 2008