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Photo #  NH 99346:  SS Besoeki in port, circa 1918


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

S.S. Besoeki (Dutch Freighter, 1901).
Served as USS Besoeki (ID # 2534) in 1918-1919

Besoeki, a 3778 gross ton steel-hulled freighter, was built at Hamburg, Germany, in 1901 for commercial employment under the Dutch flag. She was seized by the U.S. Government in March 1918, turned over to the Navy and placed in commission in early April as USS Besoeki (ID # 2534). Late in that month she began her first trans-Atlantic voyage as a Naval vessel, steaming in convoy to the British isles with a cargo that included ammunition. She made a second trip in August-October 1918, this time to France, and a third later in the year. Besoeki steamed from the U.S. to Denmark with a cargo of food during February-April 1919. Her final Navy voyage began in mid-May, when she set sail for Rotterdam, Holland. In mid-June 1919, after arriving there and discharging her cargo, USS Besoeki was decommissioned and returned to her owner. She then returned to merchant service. Her name was changed to Anfitrite in 1923, and she was discarded in 1930.

This page features all the views we have concerning the Dutch freighter Besoeki of 1901 and USS Besoeki (ID # 2534).


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 99346

S.S. Besoeki
(Dutch Freighter, 1901)

Photographed prior to her World War I Navy service, possibly when she was inspected by the Third Naval District on 29 March 1918.
This ship was placed in commission on 2 April 1918 as USS Besoeki (ID # 2534). She was decommissioned and returned to her owner on 14 June 1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 100KB; 740 x 600 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105156

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

Ship's Officers and Crew, posed by the after end of her midships superstructure, 8 May 1919.
Officer just to left of center (behind letters "S.S.") is Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Edwin H. Ballinger.
Photographed by Hughes & Estabrook, 251 W. 42nd Street, New York City.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image size: 142KB; 900 x 545 pixels

 


The following photographs are from the collection of an officer who served in USS Besoeki during the World War I era, and are identified on the original prints as showing officers and men of that ship. However, since contemporary "Navy Directories" do not list the officers named on some of the prints as having been assigned to Besoeki, the identification of those images should be approached with caution.

Photo #: NH 103585

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Brother Officers of U.S.S. Besoeki in Pelquilian Bay, France, 1918. I am First Right." (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 440 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103591

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Coming Home from France on After Deck of U.S.S. Besoeki. Chief Engineer & I & 3rd Asst. Chief was not supposed to Smoke but he is. EHB Lt. is pointing. 1918" (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 445 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103586

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Part of Gun Crew, U.S.S. Besoeki, 1919." (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 545 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103587

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Officers display the Ship's Mascots on the Besoeki, 1919." (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
At least one of the men with these kittens is an Army officer.
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 440 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103588

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Lt. John Hanson on U.S.S. Besoeki in New York 1918." (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.
Note: "Navy Directories" for 1918-1919 do not list an officer of this name as assigned in USS Besoeki.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 63KB; 430 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103589

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Lt. Harrison, our Chief Engineer on the on U.S.S. Besoeki, on top side Deck. 1919." (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.
Note: "Navy Directories" for 1918-1919 do not list an officer of this name as assigned in USS Besoeki.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 61KB; 425 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103590

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Lt. Harrison, our Chief Engineer on the on U.S.S. Besoeki. 1919." (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.
Note: "Navy Directories" for 1918-1919 do not list an officer of this name as assigned in USS Besoeki.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 63KB; 420 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103594

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Engineer Lt. Jackson U.S.S. Besoeki. 1919." (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.
Note: "Navy Directories" for 1918-1919 do not list an officer of this name as assigned in USS Besoeki.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 65KB; 415 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103592

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Chief Engineer of U.S.S. Besoeki & his Sweetheart, making woopy in 1919" (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 136KB; 740 x 495 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103593

USS Besoeki
(ID # 2534)

"Chief Engineer of U.S.S. Besoeki & his Sweetheart at her Home in Charleston, S.C. 1919 & 20" (Hand written inscription from the reverse of the original print)
Photograph from the estate of Edwin ("Eddie") Hugh Ballinger, who served as an officer of USS Besoeki during the World War I era.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 485 pixels

 


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


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 23 May 2004
New images added 6 December 2007