Ernest Larkin Jones was born on 30 January 1880 in Kansas.
He joined the Navy in late 1902 and served as an enlisted man
until January 1913, when he became a warrant officer. Boatswain
Jones served in the battleship Virginia until late 1915, then began duty with the Receiving
Ship at Boston, Massachusetts. In September 1916 he was assigned
to the Boston Navy Yard, where he remained for more than a year.
The latter part of his time there was spent helping to prepare
the transport Madawaska
for trans-Atlantic troop-carrying service.
While at Boston, Boatswain Jones received a temporary commission
in the rank of Ensign, advancing to Lieutenant in August 1918.
Following a brief session at the Newport, Rhode Island, Torpedo
School, he was stationed for nearly two years with
the Second Naval District, including duty at the New London Naval
Station, Connecticut. In November 1919 he moved south to the Fifth
Naval District and in March 1920 took command of the tug Conestoga. Lieutenant
Ernest L. Jones was still her Commanding Officer when she departed
San Diego, California, on 25 March 1921, bound for Samoa. Neither
he, nor his ship and the rest of her complement were ever seen
again.
Photo #: NH 71504
Lieutenant Ernest L. Jones, USN,
Commanding Officer, USS Conestoga (AT-54)
Standing alongside his ship, at San Diego, California, circa
early 1921.
He was among those lost when Conestoga disappeared after
leaving San Diego in March 1921.
Courtesy of W.P. Burbage, 1970.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 91KB; 560 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 71501
USS Conestoga (AT-54)
Ship's Officers at San Diego, California, circa early 1921.
They are (from left to right):
Machinist Louis A. Liscomb, Engineering Officer;
Lieutenant Ernest L. Jones, Commanding Officer;
Boatswain Harvey H. Reinbold, Executive Officer; and
Boatswain Roy E. Hoffses, Ordnance Officer.
All were lost when Conestoga disappeared after leaving
San Diego in March 1921.
Courtesy of W.P. Burbage, 1970.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 625 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 71505
Lieutenant Ernest L. Jones, USN,
Commanding Officer, USS Conestoga (AT-54)
With the ship's Quartermasters (one of whom has been cut out
of the image), at San Diego, California, circa early 1921.
Courtesy of W.P. Burbage, 1970.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 68KB; 545 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 71503
USS Conestoga (AT-54)
Ship's Company beside and on Conestoga, at San Diego,
California, circa early 1921.
Officers and Chief Petty Officers in front row are (from left
to right):
Chief Boatswain's Mate Elias Melvin Zimmerman;
Chief Carpenter's Mate John Wesley Powell;
Machinist Louis A. Liscomb, Engineering Officer;
Lieutenant Ernest L. Jones, Commanding Officer;
Boatswain Roy E. Hoffses, Ordnance Officer;
Boatswain Harvey H. Reinbold, Executive Officer;
Chief Water Tender Charles Ingerson Westover; and
Chief Machinist's Mate George F. Kaler.
The Sailor marked by an arrow (top row, 6th from left) may be
Seaman 1st Class W.P. Burbage.
Courtesy of W.P. Burbage, 1970.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 108KB; 740 x 575 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 71506
USS Conestoga (AT-54)
Ship's Company beside and on Conestoga, at San Diego,
California, circa early 1921.
Officers, seated in front row, are (from left to right):
Machinist Louis A. Liscomb, Engineering Officer;
Lieutenant Ernest L. Jones, Commanding Officer;
Boatswain Harvey H. Reinbold, Executive Officer; and
Boatswain Roy E. Hoffses, Ordnance Officer.
Chief Petty Officers, in 2nd row center, are (from left to right):
Chief Boatswain's Mate Elias Melvin Zimmerman;
Chief Water Tender Charles Ingerson Westover;
Chief Machinist's Mate George F. Kaler; and
Chief Carpenter's Mate John Wesley Powell.
The Sailor marked by an arrow (top row) may be Seaman 1st Class
W.P. Burbage.
Courtesy of W.P. Burbage, 1970.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 495 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 71508
USS Conestoga (AT-54)
Memorial crew list of the officers and men serving in Conestoga
when she disappeared while en route from San Diego, California,
to Samoa by way of Pearl Harbor. She had departed San Diego on
25 March 1921.
Courtesy of W.P. Burbage, 1970.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 141KB; 345 x 765 pixels |
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