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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 45268:  USS Moosehead with section patrol boats at Boston, circa 1918

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

USS Moosehead (ID # 2047), 1918-1931.
Later became USS Porpoise (YFB-2047).
Previously was the civilian steamship Moosehead (Built 1911)

USS Moosehead, a 710-ton accomodation vessel and ferryboat, was built in 1911 at Bath, Maine, for use as a civilian coastal passenger steamer. She was purchased by the Navy and commissioned in late March 1918. During the First World War, Moosehead was stationed at Boston, Massachusetts, apparently as an accomdation vessel for small patrol boats operating there. At some point, she was transferred to Washington, D.C. In 1920, she was reclassified as a ferryboat, with hull number YFB-2047, and renamed Porpoise. Her service continued through the 1920s. USS Porpoise was stricken from the Navy list in late December 1930 and sold in February 1931.

This page features all the views we have related to USS Moosehead, which was renamed Porpoise in 1920.


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 102042

Moosehead
(U.S. coastal passenger steamer, 1911)

Photographed circa 1917-18, with Maine Central Rail Road markings on her bow.
This ship was acquired by the Navy on 28 March 1918 as USS Moosehead (ID # 2047). On 11 August 1920, she was renamed Porpoise and reclassified as a ferryboat with hull number YFB-2047. Stricken on 30 December 1930, she was sold on 24 February 1931.

The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 445 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45268

USS Moosehead (ID # 2047)
(left)

In Lockwood's Basin, Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1918, with four patrol boats at right. The latter are (from outboard): USS Kiowa (SP-711), USS Skink (SP-605), USS Whistler (SP-784) and USS Lynx II (SP-730).
Photographed by Alton M. Blackinton, Boston.
This image forms the right half of a panorama with Photo # NH 45269.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 435 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45269

USS Moosehead (ID # 2047)
(right)

In Lockwood's Basin, Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1918, with an old torpedo boat (probably USS Rodgers, Torpedo Boat # 4) alongside.
USS Elsie III (SP-708) is alongside the pier in the left center foreground, with USS Alacrity (SP-206) beyond.
Photographed by Alton M. Blackinton, Boston.
This image forms the left half of a panorama with Photo # NH 45268.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 450 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42284

Lockwood's Basin, Boston, Massachusetts


Section Patrol boat base at Lockwood's Basin, circa 1918, with USS Moosehead (ID # 2047) alongside the pier in the right background. Among the patrol boats present are USS Skink (SP-605), in the left foreground, and USS Alacrity (SP-206) behind her.
Note Sailor sentry at the extreme right.
Photographed by Alton M. Blackinton, Boston.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 430 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42143

Lockwood's Basin, Boston, Massachusetts


View of the basin from the top of the Headquarters Building, taken by Alton M. Blackinton, Boston, circa 1918.
USS Moosehead (ID # 2047) is in the center, with the East Boston ferry at far right. A submarine chaser (SC) and other patrol vessels are also present.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 435 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45728

USS Moosehead (ID # 2047)
(larger ship to right)

In Lockwood's Basin, Boston, Massachusetts, in 1918. Also present are a large number of section patrol boats.
Photographed by Alton M. Blackinton, Boston.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 445 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42146

Lockwood's Basin, Boston, Massachusetts


View of the basin with a seaplane from Chatham flying overhead, circa 1918. Taken by Alton M. Blackinton, Boston.
USS Moosehead (ID # 2047) is at the right, with several patrol vessels nearby.
USS Elsie III (SP-708) is in the left foreground, with USS SP-511 (ex-Alert) beyond her.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 61KB; 420 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42147

Lockwood's Basin, Boston, Massachusetts


View of the basin looking down the pier, taken by Alton M. Blackinton, Boston, circa 1918, showing USS Moosehead (ID # 2047) in the center and section patrol boats.
USS Alacrity (SP-206) is at the far left. The patrol boats in the left center foreground are (from left to right):
USS Kiowa (SP-711);
USS Skink (SP-605);
unidentified;
USS Whistler (SP-785); and
USS Lynx II (SP-730).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 445 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42142

Lockwood's Basin, Boston, Massachusetts


General view from the end of the pier, taken by Alton M. Blackinton, Boston, circa 1918.
USS Moosehead (ID # 2047) occupies most of the image. Beyond her stern is USS Alacrity (SP-206).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 445 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 91949

Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia


Panoramic view of the Navy Yard waterfront, looking north from across the Anacostia River, circa 1927.
Ships present are (from left to right):
probably USS Porpoise (YFB-2047);
USS Allen (DD-66), Naval Reserve training ship;
an "Eagle Boat" (PE);
USS Mayflower (PY-1), Presidential Yacht; and
probably USS Sylph (PY-12).

Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photographic Collection, 1981.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 59KB; 900 x 375 pixels

 

Note: In addition to the views referenced above, the following photographs show small areas of USS Moosehead's structure: Photo # NH 42144; Photo # NH 42145; and Photo # NH 42148.


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


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Page made 31 December 2001
New images added 31 May 2002