Civilian Ships - Chinampa (Tanker, 1903)

Prometheus, a 6894 gross ton tanker, was built in 1903 by the Palmer Shipbuilding Company of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, for the Deutsch-Amerikanische Petroleum Gesellschaft of Hamburg, a subsidiary of Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey. She was transferred by her owners to American registry in 1914 and renamed Cushing. In September 1918 she was acquired by the Navy and placed in commission in early October as USS Chinampa (ID # 1952). Between then and late March 1919 the ship crossed the Atlantic to European waters three times with cargos of fuel oil and gasoline. Chinampa was returned to the Standard Oil Company in May 1919.

This page features all available views concerning the tanker Chinampa, previously named Prometheus and Cushing, which served as USS Chinampa (ID # 1952) in 1918-1919.

Photo #: NH 102814

S.S. Cushing (American Tanker, 1903)

In port, possibly when inspected by the Third Naval District on 10 November 1917.
Formerly named Prometheus, this Standard Oil Company tanker was renamed Chinampa on or before 24 September 1918. She was taken over by the Navy on 2 October 1918 and placed in commission as USS Chinampa (ID # 1952) on 4 October. The ship was returned to her owners in May 1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 445 pixels

Photo #: NH 94960

USS Chinampa (ID # 1952)

"Ready to carry food to the Allies" according to this post card issued by the American Recreation Association, a charitable organization sanctioned by the military during World War I. The card does not identify the ship but she is quite clearly Chinampa, which carried only petroleum products to Europe.

Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1983.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Photo #: NH 101395

USS Chinampa (ID # 1952)

In port, probably in 1919. The name board above her pilothouse indicates that this photograph was taken during, or shortly after, the ship's service with the Naval Overseas Transportation Service.
Formerly named Prometheus and Cushing, this tanker was acquired by the Navy on 2 October 1918 and placed in commission on 4 October as USS Chinampa (ID # 1952). She was returned to her owner, the Standard Oil Company, of New York City, on 27 May 1919.

The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 485 pixels

UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

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

Chinampa (American Tanker, 1903).
Originally named Prometheus, then Cushing.
Served as USS Chinampa (ID # 1952) in 1918-1919

Photo #: NH 102814 S.S. Cushing (American Tanker, 1903) In port, possibly when inspected by the Third Naval District on 10 November 1917. Formerly named Prometheus, this Standard Oil Company tanker was renamed Chinampa on or before 24 September 1918. She was taken over by the Navy on 2 October 1918 and placed in commission as USS Chinampa (ID # 1952) on 4 October. The ship was returned to her owners in May 1919. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 445 pixels
Photo #: NH 94960 USS Chinampa (ID # 1952) "Ready to carry food to the Allies" according to this post card issued by the American Recreation Association, a charitable organization sanctioned by the military during World War I. The card does not identify the ship but she is quite clearly Chinampa, which carried only petroleum products to Europe. Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1983. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Photo #: NH 101395 USS Chinampa (ID # 1952) In port, probably in 1919. The name board above her pilothouse indicates that this photograph was taken during, or shortly after, the ship's service with the Naval Overseas Transportation Service. Formerly named Prometheus and Cushing, this tanker was acquired by the Navy on 2 October 1918 and placed in commission on 4 October as USS Chinampa (ID # 1952). She was returned to her owner, the Standard Oil Company, of New York City, on 27 May 1919. The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 485 pixels

UNITED STATES NAVY TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS WORLD WAR I

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

Chinampa (American Tanker, 1903). Originally named Prometheus, then Cushing. Served as USS Chinampa (ID # 1952) in 1918-1919

UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

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

Chinampa (American Tanker, 1903).
Originally named Prometheus, then Cushing.
Served as USS Chinampa (ID # 1952) in 1918-1919