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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE
COMMAND
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- CIVILIAN SHIPS --
S.S. K.I. Luckenbach (American Freighter, 1918).
Served as USS K.I. Luckenbach (ID # 2291) in 1918-1919
K.I. Luckenbach, a 9052 gross ton freighter, was built
in 1917-1918 at Quincy, Massachusetts, for the Luckenbach Steamship
Company. In August 1918, following some months of service under
charter to the Army, she was taken over by the Navy and placed
in commission as USS K.I. Luckenbach (ID # 2291). Initially
employed as a cargo ship, she completed two trips to France with
U.S. Army material. In December 1918 the ship was transferred
to troop transport duties,
modified for that purpose, and made three voyages bringing home
American service personnel from the former European war zone.
USS K.I. Luckenbach completed her final Atlantic trip in
September 1919 and was returned to her owner in early October.
This page features all the views we have concerning the
freighter K.I. Luckenbach and USS K.I. Luckenbach
(ID # 2291).
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 99367
S.S. K.I. Luckenbach (American Freighter, 1918)
In drydock, possibly when she was inspected by the Third Naval
District on 11 February 1918.
This steamship was acquired by the Navy on 8 August 1918 and
placed in commission as USS K.I. Luckenbach (ID # 2291)
on the following day. She was decommissioned and returned to
her owner on 5 October 1919.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 92KB; 560 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 103051
USS K.I. Luckenbach (ID # 2291)
At Brest, France, while serving as a troop transport, 1919.
The original image is printed on postal card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 475 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 103915
USS K.I. Luckenbach (ID # 2291)
Arriving at New York in 1919, while bringing home troops from
Europe. Note the men crowding her decks
Photographed by E. Muller Jr.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 470 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 106027
USS K.I. Luckenbach (ID # 2291)
Troops crowd the ship's foredeck, as seen from her bridge during
a voyage from France to the United States, 31 April 1919.
The original photograph is printed on post card ("AZO")
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 127KB; 740 x 490 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 106585
USS K.I. Luckenbach (ID # 2291)
Homeward bound troops relaxing on the ship's foredeck at sea, 12 May 1919.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock. Addressed to Miss Florence Blanchard of White Plains, New York, the card is postmarked Newport News, Virginia, 23 May 1919.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2009.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 115KB; 900 x 585 pixels |
 |
The following photograph MAY show USS K.I. Luckenbach:
Photo #: NH 104494
Troops embarking on a U.S. Navy transport
At American Bassens, France, for passage home to the United States,
1919.
This ship is a former Luckenbach Lines freighter, either USS
Edward Luckenbach (ID # 1662), USS Julia Luckenbach
(ID # 2407), USS F.J. Luckenbach (ID # 2169), USS K.I.
Luckenbach (ID # 2291) or USS Katrina Luckenbach (ID
#3020).
The original photograph is printed on postcard ("AZO"
stock.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 475 pixels |
 |
Formerly related image: Photo # NH 103057, which was previously identified as possibly showing USS K.I. Luckenbach or S.S. K.I. Luckenbach, has now been determined to probably be a view of the very similar Julia Luckenbach. It has accordingly been removed from this page.
NOTES:
To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here
are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded
and used for any purpose.
Some images linked from this page bear obsolete credit lines
citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center".
Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval
History and Heritage Command".
Return to Naval
History and Heritage Command home page.
Page made 5 June 2004
New image added 30 November 2009