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Photo #  NH 103053:  Freighter Minnesotan, prior to her World War I era Navy service


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

S.S. Minnesotan (American Freighter, 1912).
Served as USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545) in 1918-1919

Minnesotan, a 6649 gross ton (14,375-tons displacement) freighter, was built in 1912 at Sparrows Point, Maryland, for commercial employment. In September 1917 she began operating under charter on behalf of the U.S. Army, carrying animals and other World War I cargo to France. The U.S. Navy took her over in August 1918 and placed her in commission as USS Minnesotan (her Navy ID #, 4545, was probably assigned some years later). Between early September and early November 1918 the ship made a round-trip voyage between the U.S. East Coast and Gibraltar. At the end of November, nearly three weeks after the Armistice brought the war's active phase to an end, Minnesotan began a second trip, this time to France. After returning to the U.S. in January 1919, she was converted to a troop transport, beginning work in that role at the end of March. During the next four months Minnesotan completed four voyages to and from France, bringing home more than 6000 service personnel. She was decommissioned in August 1919 and returned to her owner, the American Hawaiian Steamship Company, of New York City. Following three more decades of U.S. flag merchant service, the now very elderly steamer was sold abroad in July 1949.

This page features all the views we have concerning the freighter Minnesotan of 1912, and provides links to images of her as USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545).

For more images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545), 1918-1919.


    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 65127

    S.S. Minnesotan
    (American Freighter, 1912)

    Photographed prior to her World War I era Naval service, possibly when she was inspected by the 4th Naval District on 26 January 1916.
    Acquired by the Navy on 23 August 1918, she was placed in commission on that day as USS Minnesotan. She was decommissioned on 21 August 1919 and transferred to the U.S. Shipping Board for return to her owner. Her registry ID #, 4545, was probably assigned about 1922.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 495 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103053

    S.S. Minnesotan
    (American Freighter, 1912)

    Photographed prior to World War I. She was USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545) in 1918-1919.
    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: 77KB; 740 x 490 pixels

     


    For more images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Minnesotan (ID # 4545), 1918-1919.


    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 may 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".


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


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    Page made 21 August 2004
    New images added and page divided 16 June 2010