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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE
COMMAND
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
Lighter Nenette (1918-circa 1920).
Later renamed Freight Lighter # 159
Also called (incorrectly) Ninette
Nenette was steam-powered lighter very similar in size and appearance to the better-documented Rin Tin Tin, and was probably constructed at the same place and time (Renfrew, Scotland, 1883). She is listed in 1919 editions of the "Navy Directory" as an auxiliary to USS Prometheus. Nenette served at Brest, France during the first several months of that year as a U.S. Navy personnel ferry, engaged in taking American service personnel out to larger ships for transportation home. The 1 October 1919 edition of the official publication "Ships' Data U.S. Naval Vessels" states that she had been purchased from the British Admiralty in 1919, was then located at Norfolk, Virginia and had been renamed Freight Lighter # 159. She was apparently disposed of soon thereafter. Beyond this sketchy information, no documentation could be located on this ship.
Name Note: This vessel's name is rendered "Ninette" in the "Ships' Data" volume cited above, but the name Nenette is given in 1919 "Navy Directory" editions, is seen in photographs of her and is a better match to the French straw dolls that were the sources of both her and Rin Tin Tin's names.
This page features all the views we have concerning U.S. Navy lighter Nenette, which
was later Freight Lighter # 159.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 104813
Ferry lighter Nenette
Crowded with troops being taken to a transport for passage home
to the United States, at Brest, France, 1919.
The original photograph was printed on post card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 465 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105727
U.S. Navy ferry lighter Nenette
Bringing troops out to a transport for passage home to the United
States in 1919, probably at Brest, France.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 480 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105876
U.S. Navy Lighter Nenette (right)
Moored outboard of another lighter, alongside a transport in
Brest harbor, France, 1919. Both are loaded with troops being
transferred to the transport for passage home to the United States.
The original photograph is printed on post card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 555 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105730
Homeward-bound Troops
On board the U.S. Navy ferry lighter Nenette, which has
brought them out to a transport for passage to the United States,
1919. Location is probably Brest harbor, France.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 480 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 106283
Ferry Lighter Nenette
Alongside USS Georgia (Battleship # 15) in Brest harbor, France, March 1919. She is transferring troops to the battleship for passage home to the United States.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock. A hand-written note on its reverse states: "Soldiers coming on the Georgia, going back home! March 1919."
Note Nenette's bridge and covered pilothouse at left.
Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 475 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105728
Homeward-bound Troops
On board the U.S. Navy ferry lighter Nenette, which has
brought them out to a transport for passage to the United States,
1919. Location is probably Brest harbor, France.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 475 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105729
Homeward-bound Troops
Boarding a transport from the U.S. Navy ferry lighter Nenette,
1919. Location is probably Brest harbor, France.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 480 pixels |
 |
Nenette is seen distantly in the following photograph of another ship:
Photo #: NH 106613
USS Marica (ID # 4031)
At Brest, France on 29 June 1919, with the U.S. Navy lighter Nenette alongside.
The ship in the left distance is USS Pretoria.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2009.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 68KB; 900 x 565 pixels |
 |
The following photographs show a ferry lighter that is either
Nenette or the nearly identical
Rin Tin Tin:
Photo #: NH 105014
USS Troy (ID # 1614)
At Brest, France, circa May-June 1919, probably while embarking
troops for passage home to the United States.
Two personnel lighters are nearby: Tudno at left and either
Rin Tin Tin or Nenette in the center of the view.
Photographed from on board USS Patricia.
Photograph from the album of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Edward
D. Porges. Donated by his daughter, Gail Porges Guggenheim, 2007.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 37KB; 740 x 465 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105417
USS Georgia (Battleship # 15))
Troops of the 32nd (Division ?) coming on board the ship at Brest,
France, for passage home to the United States, 1919. They are
disembarking from a steam lighter, which is either Nenette
or Rin Tin Tin.
The original image is printed on postcard ("AZO") stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 460 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 104816
U.S. Troops
On board a ferry lighter, awaiting transfer to a transport for
passage home to the United States in 1919. Probably photographed
at at Brest, France.
The lighter, seen from on board the transport, appears to be
either Rin Tin Tin or Nenette. Another smaller
ship, equipped with a crane boom, is outboard of the lighter.
The original photograph was printed on post card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 460 pixels |
 |
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 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".
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History and Heritage Command home page.
Page made 25 February 2010
Introductory text rewritten 10 June 2010