Civilian Ships--Berkshire (Passenger Steamship, 1881)

Berkshire, a 2014 gross ton passenger steamer, was built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1881. In April 1918 the U.S. Shipping Board turned her over to the Navy, which placed her in commission as USS Berkshire (SP # 1578, originally ID # 1578). For nearly a year, as World War I reached its conclusion and the postwar era began, she was employed on Long Island Sound as a minesweeping training vessel. Berkshire was decommissioned in March 1919 and soon afterwards returned to the Shipping Board.

The motor boat Bivalve (ID # 2472), a former oyster boat, was used as a tender to USS Berkshire.

This page features all available viewss of the steamship Berkshire, which was USS Berkshire (SP # 1578) in 1918-1919.

Photo #: NH 94207

Berkshire (American Passenger Steamer, 1881)

In port, probably prior to her World War I U.S. Navy service. She was commissioned as USS Berkshire (SP # 1578) on 24 April 1918.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 103KB; 590 x 675 pixels

Photo #: None

Berkshire (SP-1578)

Shown while assigned to the Section Patrol force while serving as a training ship for paravane equipment. Berkshire, built in 1881, was apparently considered too old for regular ocean-going duty. This is a rare case of a large World War I acquired ship displaying a wartime hull number.

U.S. National Archives, Record Group 19-E, box 1, folder X.

Photo #: None

Berkshire (SP-1578)

Hauled out on a marine railway circa 1918 showing her paravane equipment. Berkshire, built in 1881, was apparently considered too old for regular ocean-going duty and was used as a paravane training ship.

U.S. National Archives, Record Group 19-E, box 1, folder X.

Photo #: None

Berkshire (SP-1578)

Hauled out on a marine railway circa 1918 showing her paravane equipment. Berkshire, built in 1881, was apparently considered too old for regular ocean-going duty and was used as a paravane training ship.

U.S. National Archives, Record Group 19-E, box 1, folder X.

UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- CIVILIAN SHIPS --

Berkshire (American Passenger Steamship, 1881).
Served as USS Berkshire (SP # 1578) in 1918-1919

Photo #: NH 94207 Berkshire (American Passenger Steamer, 1881) In port, probably prior to her World War I U.S. Navy service. She was commissioned as USS Berkshire (SP # 1578) on 24 April 1918. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 103KB; 590 x 675 pixels
Photo #: None Berkshire (SP-1578) Shown while assigned to the Section Patrol force while serving as a training ship for paravane equipment. Berkshire, built in 1881, was apparently considered too old for regular ocean-going duty. This is a rare case of a large World War I acquired ship displaying a wartime hull number. U.S. National Archives, Record Group 19-E, box 1, folder X.
Photo #: None Berkshire (SP-1578) Hauled out on a marine railway circa 1918 showing her paravane equipment. Berkshire, built in 1881, was apparently considered too old for regular ocean-going duty and was used as a paravane training ship. U.S. National Archives, Record Group 19-E, box 1, folder X.
Photo #: None Berkshire (SP-1578) Hauled out on a marine railway circa 1918 showing her paravane equipment. Berkshire, built in 1881, was apparently considered too old for regular ocean-going duty and was used as a paravane training ship. U.S. National Archives, Record Group 19-E, box 1, folder X.

UNITED STATES NAVY TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS WORLD WAR I

Online Library of Selected Images: -- CIVILIAN SHIPS --

Berkshire (American Passenger Steamship, 1881). Served as USS Berkshire (SP # 1578) in 1918-1919

UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- CIVILIAN SHIPS --

Berkshire (American Passenger Steamship, 1881).
Served as USS Berkshire (SP # 1578) in 1918-1919