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Photo # NH 89149:  USS Mount Vernon steaming towards Brest, France, after being torpedoed on 5 September 1918

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

USS Mount Vernon (ID # 4508), 1917-1919 --
Torpedoed, 5 September 1918

On 5 September 1918 the 29,650-ton transport Mount Vernon was enroute back to the United States after delivering troops to the European war zone. While underway in convoy some 200 miles west of France, she spotted a periscope and opened fire. However, unlike many such incidents, this time the periscope was real, belonging to the German submarine U-82, which launched a torpedo. Though she attempted to evade, Mount Vernon was hit amidships. The resulting explosion blew a large hole in her side, putting half her boilers out of action. Thirty-six of her crew were killed and another thirteen injured, but damage control efforts contained her flooding and kept her underway. Mount Vernon steamed back to Brest, France, where she was drydocked for initial repairs. Later she crossed the Atlantic to Boston, Massachusetts, to undergo further work. The ship was again ready for service in February 1919, three months after the November 1918 Armistice had ended the fighting, but in time to help bring American service personnel home from France.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have related to the torpedoing of USS Mount Vernon by German submarine U-82.

For more pictures concerning this event, see:

  • USS Mount Vernon (ID # 4508) -- Torpedoed, 5 September 1918 (Part II).

    For links to other images of, and related to, this ship, see:

  • USS Mount Vernon (ID # 4508), 1917-1919.


    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 89149

    USS Mount Vernon
    (1917-1919)

    Steaming towards Brest, France, after she had been torpedoed by German submarine U-82 in the eastern Atlantic on 5 September 1918.
    An escorting destroyer is laying a smokescreen in the background.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander P.W. Yeatman, USN (Retired).

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 535 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103939

    USS Mount Vernon
    (ID # 4508)

    Halftone reproduction of a photograph showing a destroyer laying a smoke screen around Mount Vernon, after she was torpedoed by German Submarine U-82 on 5 September 1918.
    Note the destroyer's "dazzle" camouflage.
    This image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning the ship and her 5 September 1918 torpedoing.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103936

    USS Mount Vernon
    (ID # 4508)

    Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken at Brest, France, showing an honor guard with the caskets of some of the thirty-six crewmen killed when the ship was torpedoed by German Submarine U-82 on 5 September 1918
    This image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning the ship and her 5 September 1918 torpedoing.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 525 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45758

    USS Mount Vernon
    (1917-1919)

    French tugs assist the ship into drydock at Brest, France, on 6 September 1918. She had been torpedoed on the previous day by German submarine U-82.
    USS Prometheus is in the right distance, with U.S. Navy destroyers alongside.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 455 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45749

    USS Mount Vernon
    (1917-1919)

    Entering drydock at Brest, France, on 6 September 1918. She had been torpedoed by German submarine U-82 on the previous day.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 450 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 157

    USS Mount Vernon
    (1917-1919)

    In drydock at Brest, France, after she was torpedoed by a German submarine on 5 September 1918.
    USS Prometheus is in the right distance, inside the breakwater.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 154KB; 740 x 535 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103941

    USS Mount Vernon
    (ID # 4508)

    Halftone reproduction of a photograph showing the ship in dry dock at Brest, France, after she was torpedoed by German Submarine U-82 on 5 September 1918.
    Note the "dazzle" camouflage pattern painted on her port side.
    This image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning the ship and her 5 September 1918 torpedoing.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45748

    USS Mount Vernon
    (1917-1919)

    Drydocked at Brest, France, after she was torpedoed by German submarine U-82 on 5 September 1918.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 122KB; 515 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45754

    USS Mount Vernon
    (1917-1919)

    Hole in the ship's hull made by the German submarine torpedo that hit her on 5 September 1918. Photographed in drydock at Brest, France.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 124KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103935

    USS Mount Vernon
    (ID # 4508)

    Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken in drydock at Brest, France, showing the hole in the ship's hull made when she was torpedoed by German Submarine U-82 on 5 September 1918
    This image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning the ship and her 5 September 1918 torpedoing.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 500 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103938

    USS Mount Vernon
    (ID # 4508)

    Halftone reproduction of a photograph of part of a German torpedo warhead, found in Mount Vernon's machinery spaces after she was torpedoed by German Submarine U-82 on 5 September 1918.
    This image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning the ship and her 5 September 1918 torpedoing.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103940

    USS Mount Vernon
    (ID # 4508)

    Halftone reproduction of a photograph showing the temporary patch installed on Mount Vernon's hull at Brest, France, after she was torpedoed by German Submarine U-82 on 5 September 1918. The ship received permanent repairs after she returned to the United States.
    This image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning the ship and her 5 September 1918 torpedoing.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 525 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105819

    USS Mount Vernon
    (ID # 4508)

    In dry dock, probably while undergoing repairs following her 5 September 1918 torpedoing.
    Note her propellers, rudder and pattern camouflage.

    Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 98KB; 520 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105820

    USS Mount Vernon
    (ID # 4508)

    In dry dock, probably while undergoing repairs following her 5 September 1918 torpedoing.
    Note her port propeller and pattern camouflage.

    Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 520 x 765 pixels

     

    For more pictures concerning this event, see:

  • USS Mount Vernon (ID # 4508) -- Torpedoed, 5 September 1918 (Part II).

    For links to other images of, and related to, this ship, see:

  • USS Mount Vernon (ID # 4508), 1917-1919.


    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 15 October 2003
    New images added 30 November 2008