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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 49824:  USS Mercy at anchor, circa 1919-1920

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4), 1918-1939
Originally S.S. Saratoga (American Passenger Liner, 1907)

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:

  • USS Mercy (AH-4) -- Views of the Ship taken after the mid-1920s; and
  • USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) -- On Board and Miscellaneous Views.


    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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.

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     


    For additional images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Mercy (AH-4) -- Views of the Ship taken after the mid-1920s; and
  • USS Mercy (ID # 1305, later AH-4) -- On Board and Miscellaneous Views.


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


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 30 November 2005
    New image added 8 April 2008