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Photo # NH 75514:  USS Wilbert A. Edwards at the Norfolk Navy Yard, 18 August 1917

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

USS Wilbert A. Edwards (SP-315), 1917-1919.
Originally, and later, the civilian fishing vessel Wilbert A. Edwards (1911)

USS Wilbert A. Edwards, a 650-ton (displacement) minesweeper, was built at Solomons Island, Maryland, in 1911 as the "Menhaden Fisherman" type fishing vessel of the same name. Acquired by the Navy for World War I service, she was placed in commission in August 1917. Though her name was ordered shortened to Edwards by the July 1917 Navy General Order # 324, her original name appears to have been retained.

In September 1917, Wilbert A. Edwards steamed to Halifax, Nova Scotia on the first leg of a planned voyage to European waters. However, after leaving Halifax an early October storm proved that the she was unsuited for distant service. After nearly foundering, she was towed back to Halifax by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Algonquin. Following repairs there and at Boston, the minesweeper was assigned to the First Naval District. She spent the rest of the war, and several months afterwards, in New England waters. USS Wilbert A. Edwards was decommissioned in August 1919 and sold the following month. Her subsequent fishing employment lasted until the late 1940s.

This page features the only views we have concerning USS Wilbert A. Edwards (SP-315).


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 75514

USS Wilbert A. Edwards
(SP-315)

At the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia on 18 August 1917.
Note her camouflage, which appears to be nearly identical to that painted on USS Warren J. Courtney (SP-375) -- see Photo # NH 75516.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 121 KB; 900 x 665 pixels

 

High-Resolution JPG
Photo #: NH 89434

USS Wilbert A. Edwards
(SP-315)

At the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts, circa 1919, while serving in the First Naval District.
The stern of USCGC Acushnet is at left.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 111 KB; 900 x 575 pixels

 

High-Resolution JPG


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 28 January 2011