Biesbosch, a 484 gross ton steel-hulled steamer, was built at Groninjen, the Netherlands, in 1916. Seized by the U.S. Government in about March 1918, she was taken over by the Navy in August of that year, converted to a salvage ship and placed in commission in mid-November as USS Biesbosch (ID # 2499). By that time the First World War had been over for a week, but the ship continued preparation for active service and, in December 1918, steamed south to her new base at Key West, Florida. Biesbosch began her salvage work late in that month, beginning the two week job of refloating the freighter Bedminster, which was aground on the Georgia coast. In February 1919 she assisted the Navy tanker W.L. Steed, stranded in the Bahamas; the S.S. Novian, aground near the mouth of the Mississippi River; and the S.S. Paloma, which had run aground in Cuban waters. Her last major task was in late March and early April, refloating the French steamer Boieldieu. USS Biesbosch returned north in late April 1919 and was decommissioned at Staten Island, New York, in mid-May. Following return to her owners she resumed her commercial career, which lasted, under both the Dutch and Belgian flags, until about 1923-1924.
This page features the only view we have concerning the Dutch steamer Biesbosch, which was USS Biesbosch (ID # 2499) in 1918-1919.
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.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 5 June 2004