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UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

Photo # NH 103540: SS Eastern Chief in port, 1918


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

S.S. Eastern Chief (Japanese-American Freighter, 1917).
Originally named Yoshida Maru # 3.
Was USS Eastern Chief (ID # 3390) in 1918-1919

S.S. Yoshida Maru # 3, a 4660 gross ton (9606-tons displacement) freighter, was built in 1917 by the Uraga Dock Company, near Yokosuka, Japan. Soon after completion she went to the United States and was taken over by the U.S. Shipping Board, which renamed her Eastern Chief. She was transferred to the Navy in September 1918 and placed in commission as USS Eastern Chief (ID # 3390). Operated by the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, the cargo ship made a round-trip voyage to France between October 1918 and January 1919. In mid-February, shortly after starting a second such trip, she went to the aid of the disabled USS West Haven and helped tow her into Bermuda. This voyage took Eastern Chief to La Pallice, France and onward to Antwerp, Belgium. She returned to the U.S. in May 1919 and, late in that month, was decommissioned and turned back to the Shipping Board.

This page features all available views concerning the freighter Eastern Chief, which was USS Eastern Chief (ID # 3390) in 1918-1919.


Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 103540

S.S. Eastern Chief (American Freighter, 1917)

In port, possibly at Charleston, South Carolina, on 10 September 1918, when she was inspected by the Sixth Naval District. She is wearing pattern camouflage.
Built in Japan by the Uraga Dock Company as Yoshida Maru No. 3, this steamer was renamed Eastern Chief when she passed into the hands of the U.S. Shipping Board. The ship was transferred to the Navy on 26 September 1918 and placed in commission the next day as USS Eastern Chief (ID # 3390). She was decommissioned and returned to the Shipping Board on 29 May 1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 30KB; 740 x 250 pixels

 
Photo #: None

S.S. Eastern Chief (American Freighter, 1917)

At Antwerp, Belgium, ca. early 1919.

Source: Shipscribe.

 


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Page made 28 February 2006