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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- CIVILIAN SHIPS --
S.S. Jeannette Skinner (American Freighter, 1917)
Originally S.S. J. M. Fox.
Served as USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321) in 1918-1919.
Jeannette Skinner, a 5700 gross ton freighter, was completed
by the Skinner & Eddy Corp. at Seattle, Washington, in September
1917. First named J. M. Fox by her builder, she was renamed
Jeannette Skinner by the Norwegian shipping firm Knut Knutsen
OAS, which bought her before she was launched.
The freighter was commandeered by the U.S. Shipping Board in
August 1917 and was commissioned in the Navy on 12 April 1918
as USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321). After loading a cargo
of general supplies at Baltimore, Maryland, she sailed from New
York in May with a convoy for Brest, France. Returning to New
York in June, Jeannette Skinner loaded another Army cargo
at Baltimore and delivered it at Brest and Bordeaux, France, in
August. Her third eastbound voyage took her from New York to La
Pallice and Bordeaux in September and October. While in the Gironde
River, France, on 27 November 1918, she was damaged in collision
with the Japanese steamer Ceylon Maru. During her return
voyage in December the ship had to put in to Bermuda for fuel
and, upon arrival at Baltimore, entered drydock to begin two months
of repairs. In March and April 1919 Jeannette Skinner carried
a cargo of wheat, oats, and lard to Cette, France, via Gibraltar
on behalf of the Southern Food Administration. Once again she
had to refuel on her homeward voyage, this time in the Azores.
USS Jeannette Skinner was decommissioned at Baltimore on
10 June 1919 and was returned to the Shipping Board.
In 1937 she was sold by the Shipping Board to a British firm
based in Shanghai. S.S. Jeannette Skinner was taken over
by the British Ministry of War Transport in August 1944, transferred
to the U. S. War Shipping Administration in December 1944, and
scrapped at Baltimore in August 1945.
Note: This ship's name is sometimes (and incorrectly)
spelled "Jeanette Skinner".
This page features all the views we have concerning the
American freighter Jeannette Skinner (originally named
J. M. Fox) and USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321).
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 65061-A
S.S. Jeannette Skinner (American Freighter, 1917)
Just after launch at the Skinner and Eddy Corporation shipyard,
Seattle, Washington, 30 June 1917.
Laid down as J. M. Fox, she was renamed Jeannette Skinner
by the Norwegian owner Knut Knutsen and was then commandeered
by the U.S. Shipping Board and delivered to that agency on 2
August 1917. On 12 April 1918 the ship was taken over by the
Navy and commissioned as USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321).
She was returned to the Shipping Board on 10 June 1919.
Note the Norwegian flag and the name Jeannette Skinner
on the ship's bow, the U.S. Ensign at her stern and the flag
amidships featuring a large letter "K".
The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 605 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 104118
USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321)
Photograph dated July 1918.
The original image was printed on postal card stock.
The following is hand written on the card's reverse side: "Loading
supplies at Hampton Roads en route to France from Baltimore."
Note: Some sources spell this ship's name as Jeanette Skinner.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 445 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105474
USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321)
In drydock for repair of damage to her bow, following her 27
November 1918 collision with the Japanese steamship Ceylon
Maru in the Gironde River, France.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 52KB; 420 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105475
USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321)
Crewmembers show off, while painting the ship's mainmast, circa
1918-1919.
The original image is printed on post card ("K Ltd")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 51KB; 420 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105476
USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321)
Firing the ship's after gun, circa 1918.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO")
stock. Its reverse bears the hand-written comment: "Jeannette
Skinner firing on a submarine".
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 445 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105477
USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321)
Boxing match on board the ship, just aft of the midships superstructure,
circa March-April 1919.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO")
stock. It's reverse bears the hand-written comment: "A boxing
match on the Skinner the first day in Spain".
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 445 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105478
USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321)
One of the ship's Chief Petty Officers tours ruins, probably
in France or Spain, circa 1918-1919.
The original image is printed on post card ("K Ltd")
stock. Its reverse bears the hand-written comment: "Chief
Electrician on the Skinner".
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 58KB; 425 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 105479
USS Jeannette Skinner (ID # 1321)
One of the ship's Chief Petty Officers tours an old port city,
probably in France or Spain, circa 1918-1919.
The original image is printed on post card ("K Ltd")
stock. Its reverse bears the hand-written comment: "Doctor
on the Skinner", so he may be a Chief Pharmacist's Mate.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 445 pixels |
 |
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Historical Center home page.
Page made 8 December 2007
New images added and introductory text revised 9 March 2008