Winfield S. Cahill, a 299 gross ton "Menhaden Fisherman" type fishing vessel, was built in 1912 at Solomons, Maryland. Purchased by the Navy in June 1917, she was placed in commission in August of that year as USS Winfield S. Cahill (SP-493). Her name had already been officially shortened to Cahill by Navy General Order # 314, but the longer original name also continued to be used.
In August and September 1917 Winfield S. Cahill crossed the Atlantic to begin wartime service in the waters of Brittany, France. After proving insufficiently seaworthy for escort and patrol work in the rough Bay of Biscay, she was mainly employed as a minesweeper during the remainder of World War I and well into 1919. USS Winfield S. Cahill was decommissioned in September 1919 and sold in France. She remained in European waters for the rest of her days, under French, Italian and Greek registry. Renamed Eraclea in about 1922, she disappears from shipping registers in 1937-1938.
This page features all the views we have concerning USS Winfield S. Cahill (SP-493) and the fishing vessel Winfield S. Cahill.
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 75515 USS Winfield S. Cahill (SP-493) At the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia on 18 August 1917. Her camouflage appears to be a form of the Mackay Low Visibility type. A similar ship is immediately behind her, also painted in this camouflage scheme. By a July 1917 Navy General Order, this former civilian fishing vessel's name was ordered shortened to Cahill. However, her longer name often continued in use. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 93 KB; 900 x 660 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 107338 USS Winfield S. Cahill (SP-493) Off Lorient, France, circa 1918. She has the numeral "2" painted on her bow. At the time this photograph was taken, this ship's name had been formally shortened to Cahill. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2011. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 106 KB; 900 x 675 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 45084 Lorient, France View taken on 4 July 1918, showing U.S. Navy minesweepers in the right center, alongside the dock at Base 19. The French Navy machinist school is at left. The inboard ship is a hulk, presumably an old French warship employed as a harbor support vessel. Minesweepers tied up outboard of it include (from left to right): These former fishing vessels were originally known by their civilian names, respectively: Winfield S. Cahill, Otis W. Douglas, John B. Hinton, Warren J. Courtney and Kenneth L. McNeal. Though ordered shortened to surnames by a July 1917 Navy General Order, the longer names were often used afterwards. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 72 KB; 900 x 535 pixels |
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The following photograph of another vessel shows USS Winfield S. Cahill in its right background:
Photo #: NH 107339 USS Raymond J. Anderton (SP-530) Off Lorient, France, circa 1918. She has the numeral "4" painted on her bow. At the time this photograph was taken, this ship's name had been formally shortened to Anderton. Ships partially visible in the background are USS Piqua (SP-130), at left, and USS Winfield S. Cahill (SP-493) at right, with numeral "2" on her bow. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2011. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 87 KB; 900 x 625 pixels |
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NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 31 January 2011