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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
USS Mercer (ID # 3837), 1919-1919.
Originally, and later, S.S. Mercer (U.S. Freighter, 1918).
Later renamed Empire Kangaroo, Parthenia, Erminia
Mazzella and Pina Onorato
USS Mercer, a 13,130-ton cargo ship, was built to Emergency
Fleet Corporation Design 1037 at Hackensack River, New Jersey,
in 1918 as the civilian ship of the same name. The Navy acquired
her upon completion in January 1919 and immediately placed her
in commission. She made one voyage to Europe, with a cargo of
food, beginning in mid-February. Upon arrival in England, she
was given emergency repairs and then sent to Antwerp, Belgium.
After staying at that port into early May, Mercer recrossed
the Atlantic and steamed on to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she
was decommissioned late in that month. She was returned to the
United States Shipping Board in early June 1919.
Mercer remained in that agency's custody until 1941, when she
was transferred to British registry and renamed Empire Kangaroo.
She operated as Parthenia in 1946-1949, then went to Italian
registry, initially as Erminia Mazzella and, from 1951,
as Pina Onorato. The ship was scrapped at Spezia, Italy,
in 1958.
This page features all the views we have concerning USS
Mercer (ID # 3837) and the civilian S.S. Mercer,
Empire Kangaroo, Parthenia, Erminia Mazzella
and Pina Onorato.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 102029
Mercer (U.S. Freighter, 1918)
Photographed by Lionel Dottin, probably at the yard of her builder,
Federal Shipbuilding Company, East Hackensack, New Jersey, after
completion but before commencing her Naval service.
She was acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 16 January 1919
as USS Mercer (ID # 3837). She was returned to the U.S.
Shipping Board on 3 June 1919.
The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105618
USS Mercer (ID # 3837)
Probably photographed around the time the ship was inspected
by the Third Naval District in January 1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 50KB; 580 x 675 pixels
Note: This image is a double-exposure! |
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Photo #: NH 386
USS Mercer (ID # 3837)
In drydock, possibly in a European port, 1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 580 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 49901
USS Mercer (ID # 3837)
View from off the ship's bow while she was in drydock, possibly
in a European port, 1919.
Note her anchor chains and what appears to be a paravane skeg
attached to the lower part of her stem.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 76KB; 555 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 49902
USS Mercer (ID # 3837)
Crewmen standing on the ship's fantail, 1919.
Note: fancy style of name painted on her stern; rivets in her
hull plating.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 595 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 84504
USS Mercer (ID # 3837)
Crewmen leaving the ship for liberty in a European port, 1919.
Note the sign on her gangway, reading: "For the Accomodation
of the Captain and Ship's Crew Only".
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 84505
USS Mercer (ID # 3837)
Ship's officers standing beside her gangway, while she was drydocked
in a European port, 1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 590 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105651
S.S. Pina Onorato (Italian Freighter, 1919)
Shown between 1951 and 1958.
This ship served as USS Mercer (ID # 3837) from January
to June 1919.
Donation of Captain Stephen S. Roberts, USNR (Retired), 2008.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 490 pixels |
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Historical Center home page.
Page made 10 February 2002
New image added and introductory text revised 10 May 2008