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Photo #  NH 51459-A:  S.S. Lucia sinking after she was torpedoed by U-155, 17 October 1918


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

S.S. Lucia (American Freighter, formerly Austrian, 1912)

S.S. Lucia, a 6744 gross ton freighter, was built on the Austrian Adriatic coast in 1912 as part of the Austro-Hungarian merchant marine. Seized by the United States Government when the U.S. entered World War I, she was placed under American registry and operated by the U.S. Shipping Board and later by U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps. On 17 October 1918, while in the western Atlantic, Lucia was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-155.

In July 1918, Lucia was inspected by the Fifth Naval District for possible acquisition by the Navy. Assigned the Registry ID # 3090, she was to be taken over for service with the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, but was lost before the Navy could acquire her. Her official data card contains the following handwritten comments: "This is the ship which was fitted with the Donnelly boxes to make her unsinkable"; and "But she was sunk! Oct. 1918".

This page features all the views we have concerning the freighter Lucia of 1912.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

Photo #: NH 51459-A

S.S. Lucia
(Austrian/American Freighter, 1912)

Sinking in the western Atlantic after she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-155, 17 October 1918. A boatload of survivors is in the process of leaving the ship.
This ship was intended to become USS Lucia (ID # 3090), but was lost before the Navy could acquire her.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 50KB; 740 x 450 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 51459

S.S. Lucia
(Austrian/American Freighter, 1912)

Sinking in the western Atlantic after she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-155, 17 October 1918. A boatload of survivors is leaving the ship, in the right center.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 410 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 51460

S.S. Lucia
(Austrian/American Freighter, 1912)

View on board the ship, taken as she was sinking in the western Atlantic after being torpedoed by the German submarine U-155, 17 October 1918. Her deck cargo includes crates of automobiles.
This photograph looks forward from Lucia's after deck.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 395 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 51461

S.S. Lucia
(Austrian/American Freighter, 1912)

View on board the ship, taken as she was sinking in the western Atlantic after being torpedoed by the German submarine U-155, 17 October 1918.
This view looks aft from atop Lucia's pilot house. The white wake along her port side is caused by air escaping from containers stamped under her decks. These were supposed to furnish buoyancy.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 54134

USS Fairfax
(Destroyer # 93)

Underway with the survivors of S.S. Lucia on board, circa 18 October 1918. They were later transferred to USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5).
Note Fairfax' pattern camouflage.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 415 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 41728

Sinking of S.S. Lucia
, 17 October 1918

Motor launch from USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5) leaving USS Fairfax (Destroyer # 93) with survivors from the American steamship Lucia.
Fairfax is visible in the background.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 41727

Sinking of S.S. Lucia
, 17 October 1918

Motor launch arrives alongside USS Fairfax (Destroyer # 93) with a load of survivors from the American steamship Lucia.
This boat is from USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 41726

Sinking of S.S. Lucia
, 17 October 1918

Lucia's First Mate is brought on board USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5).
The stern of Huntington's motor launch is visible below him.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 41729

Sinking of S.S. Lucia
, 17 October 1918

Some of the ship's survivors on the foredeck of USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5).
Many of those present appear to be Huntington crew members.
Note the camouflage painted on the side of the cruiser's forward eight-inch gun turret, at right.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 59KB; 740 x 415 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 23 November 2005