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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo #  NH 104445:  USS Minnesotan, 1919.

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

USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545), 1918-1919.
Originally, and later, S.S. Minnesotan (American Freighter, 1912-1949.

Minnesotan, a 6649 gross ton (14,375-tons displacement) freighter, was built in 1912 at Sparrows Point, Maryland, for commercial employment. In September 1917 she began operating under charter on behalf of the U.S. Army, carrying animals and other World War I cargo to France. The U.S. Navy took her over in August 1918 and placed her in commission as USS Minnesotan (her Navy ID #, 4545, was probably assigned some years later). Between early September and early November 1918 the ship made a round-trip voyage between the U.S. East Coast and Gibraltar. At the end of November, nearly three weeks after the Armistice brought the war's active phase to an end, Minnesotan began a second trip, this time to France. After returning to the U.S. in January 1919, she was converted to a troop transport, beginning work in that role at the end of March. During the next four months Minnesotan completed four voyages to and from France, bringing home more than 6000 service personnel. She was decommissioned in August 1919 and returned to her owner, the American Hawaiian Steamship Company, of New York City. Following three more decades of U.S. flag merchant service, the now very elderly steamer was sold abroad in July 1949.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545).

For other images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545) -- On Board and Close Up Views; and
  • S.S. Minnesotan (American Freighter, 1912).


    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 104445

    USS Minnesotan
    (ID # 4545)

    Arriving in a U.S. port, while bringing American troops home from Europe in 1919. Location may be Charleston, South Carolina.
    Panoramic photograph by Sargeant, Columbia, S.C.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 97KB; 1200 x 475 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42572

    Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania


    View of Dry Dock # 2 and its surroundings, 15 August 1919.
    Present in the dry dock are USS Lake Gedney (ID # 3765-C), in center, and USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545), partially visible at right. Both ships were being prepared for decommissioning.
    In the distance is the Reserve Basin, with several older battleships visible, among them USS Iowa (Battleship # 4).

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46031

    USS Minnesotan
    (ID # 4545)

    Being prepared for decommissioning, in Dry Dock # 2 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 15 August 1919.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 107047

    USS Minnesotan
    (ID # 4545)

    Homeward bound U.S. troops ready to board the ship in a French port, 1919.
    Note these troops' overcoats, packs, bedrolls and other equipment.
    The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 109KB; 900 x 555 pixels

     


    The following photograph of another ship was taken from USS Minnesotan, but does not show her or any of her structure:

    Photo #: NH 107049

    USS Minnesotan
    (ID # 4545)

    The Mayor's Committee of Welcome greets the ship and her passengers as they arrive in New York Harbor, 29 April 1919. Minnesotan was then transporting American troops home from France.
    The Committee's steamer appears to be named Correction.
    The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 92KB; 900 x 555 pixels

     


    For other images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545) -- On Board and Close Up Views; and
  • S.S. Minnesotan (American Freighter, 1912).


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


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


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    Page made 16 June 2010