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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 89404:  USS Boston at Yerba Buena Island, shortly before World War II

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

USS Boston (1887-1946), later USS Despatch (IX-2) --
As a Receiving Ship, 1918-1946

In 1918 the thirty-one year old cruiser Boston was converted for duty as a stationary receiving ship at the San Francisco Naval Training Station, located on Yerba Buena Island (or Goat Island) in San Francisco Bay. This work, done at the Mare Island Navy Yard up the bay from Yerba Buena, involved massive reconstruction of Boston's upper structure, to better suit her for barracks and drill service. The old ship retained her altered configuration for the rest of her days, during which she assisted in training the Sailors of the inter-war years and provided berthing for the greatly-expanded World War II Navy.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Boston (later Despatch) after she was converted to a receiving ship.

For more views of, and related to, USS Boston, see:

  • USS Boston (1887-1946).


    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 100360

    Naval Training Station, San Francisco, California


    View of the Navy Department wharf on Yerba Buena Island, looking southeast, 1921.
    The receiving ship Boston (1887-1946) is at left, with an Army ambulance boat and several launches on the near side of the wharf.

    Collection of Eugene R. O'Brien.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 100361

    Naval Training Station, San Francisco, California


    View looking southward over the wharf area, from the eastern end of Yerba Buena ("Goat") Island, 1921. Long Wharf is in the foreground, lined with rowing boats on davits. Beyond is Navy Wharf, with the receiving ship Boston (1887-1946) at far left. The Lighthouse Wharf is beyond that.

    Collection of Eugene R. O'Brien.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 440 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 89404

    USS Boston
    (1887-1946)

    Tied up at Yerba Buena Island, while serving as receiving ship there, shortly before World War II.
    This ship was renamed Despatch on 9 August 1940 and designated IX-2 on 17 February 1941.
    Note the old destroyers at left, lightship at right and San Francisco Bay ferryboats in the distance.

    Courtesy of Ted Stone, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 450 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 43686

    USS Undaunted
    (AT-58, later YT-125)

    In San Francisco Bay, California, probably off Yerba Buena Island, during the 1920s or 1930s.
    The receiving ship Boston is partially visible at right.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 74471

    USS Boston
    (1887-1946)

    View in the crew's space, on the lower deck's forward end, taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 December 1918, following Boston's conversion for receiving ship service.
    Note the folding-leg mess tables stowed in the overhead.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 74472

    USS Boston
    (1887-1946)

    View in the crew's space, on the lower deck looking aft, with the mainmast at left. Taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 December 1918, following Boston's conversion for service as the receiving ship at Yerba Buena Island, California.
    Note the electric lights in the overhead.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 74473

    USS Boston
    (1887-1946)

    View in the crew's space, on the lower deck looking aft. Taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 December 1918, following Boston's conversion for service as the receiving ship at Yerba Buena Island, California.
    Note the expansion loop in the pipes in upper left.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 74474

    USS Boston
    (1887-1946)

    View inside the deckhouse at after end of the main deck, showing wooden roof trusses and other structural elements. Taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 December 1918, following Boston's conversion for service as the receiving ship at Yerba Buena Island, California.
    Note the steam-heating radiators along the deckhouse sides, and the semi-finished oars on the deck.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     

    For more views of, and related to, USS Boston, see:

  • USS Boston (1887-1946).


    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 1 February 2003
    New image added 3 December 2003