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Photo # NH 71299:  USS Conestoga at San Diego, California, circa early 1921.

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

USS Conestoga (SP-1128, later AT-54), 1917-1921.
Originally the Civilian Tug Conestoga (1904)

Conestoga, a 617 gross ton tug, was built in 1904 at Sparrows Point, Maryland. Purchased by the Navy in September 1917 for World War I service, she was placed in commission two months later as USS Conestoga (SP-1128) and operated during the rest of the conflict along the East Coast and in the waters around the Azores. Her duty in the latter location extended well into the post-war era, and she did not return to the United States until September 1919. Following service at Norfolk, Virginia, Conestoga (which had received the hull number AT-54 in July 1920) went to the Pacific in late 1920. She was at San Diego and Mare Island, California, during the first three months of 1921. On 25 March of that year the tug steamed out of San Diego Bay, en route to take up an assignment as station ship at Tutuila, American Samoa. USS Conestoga was never heard from again and, despite an extensive search, the only trace found of her was a lifeboat bearing the initial letter of her name.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning USS Conestoga (SP-1128, later AT-54) and the civilian tug Conestoga of 1904.

For more images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Conestoga (SP-1128, later AT-54) -- Officers and Crew.

    For information on the ship's last Commanding Officer (as well as relevant images, all of which are also included in these USS Conestoga pages), see:

  • Lieutenant Ernest L. Jones, USN, (1880-1921).


    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 89794

    Conestoga
    (American Tug, 1904)

    In port, prior to World War I.
    She served as USS Conestoga (SP-1128, later AT-54) in 1917-1921.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 50KB; 740 x 520 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 89793

    Conestoga
    (American Tug, 1904)

    Photographed before being acquired by the U.S. Navy.
    This tug was USS Conestoga (SP-1128, later AT-54) from 1917 until she was lost in 1921.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 62KB; 630 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 71299

    USS Conestoga
    (AT-54)

    At San Diego, California, circa early 1921, shortly before she disappeared while en route from San Diego to Samoa, by way of Pearl Harbor.

    Courtesy of W.P. Burbage, 1970.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 455 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 102094

    USS Conestoga
    (AT-54)

    At San Diego, California, February 1921. She was lost without a trace after leaving San Diego on 25 March 1921, en route to Samoa.

    Courtesy of H.E. ("Ed") Coffer, 1988.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 61KB; 515 x 765 pixels

     
    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

     
    Photo #: NH 52858

    USS R-14
    (SS-91)

    Under "full sail" in May 1921.
    While searching for the missing USS Conestoga (AT-54) southeast of Hawaii, the R-14 lost her powerplant. As repairs were unsuccessful, her crew rigged a jury sail, made of canvas battery deck covers, to the periscope and sailed her to Hilo. She arrived there on 15 May 1921, after five days under sail.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 57KB; 425 x 765 pixels

     


    For more images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Conestoga (SP-1128, later AT-54) -- Officers and Crew.


    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 15 March 2005
    Link added 24 March 2005