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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Cyclops (1910-1918)

USS Cyclops was the Navy's second ship of that name. A 19,360-ton collier, specially designed to keep a mobile battlefleet supplied with fuel, she was built in 1910 by William Cramp and Sons at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Prior to World War I, she supported U.S. warships in European waters, off the Atlantic seaboard and in the Caribbean as a unit of the Naval Auxiliary Force.

Cyclops entered commissioned service in 1917, and continued carrying coal and other cargo to facilitate the U.S. Navy's wartime operations. In early March 1918, while returning from a voyage to Brazil, USS Cyclops disappeared with all hands. Her wreck has never been found, and the cause of her loss remains unknown.

For related textual resources, see "Frequently Asked Questions": The Bermuda Triangle.

This page features a selection of views of USS Cyclops and of crewmen who were lost with her.

If higher resolution reproductions than these digital images are desired, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

Photo #: NH 55549

USS Cyclops (1910-1918)


Anchored in the Hudson River, off New York City, on 3 October 1911. Photograph was taken by the New York Navy Yard.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 55,732 bytes; 740 x 565 pixels

 

Photo #: 19-N-13451

USS Cyclops (1910-1918)


Photographed by the New York Navy Yard, probably while anchored in the Hudson River, NY, on 3 October 1911.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 51,246 bytes; 740 x 540 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives' photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: NH 101063

USS Cyclops (1910-1918)


Photographed by Sargent, circa 1913.

Copied from the album of Francis Sargent, courtesy of Commander John Condon, 1986.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 58,404 bytes; 740 x 485 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 76012

USS South Carolina (BB-26)

and
USS Cyclops (1910-1918)

Engaged in an experimental coaling while under way at sea in 1914. Rigging between the two ships was used to transfer two 800-pound bags of coal at a time. The bags were landed on a platform in front of the battleship's forward 12-inch gun turret, and then carried to the bunkers.
The donor, who served as a seaman in South Carolina at the time, comments: "it showed that this was possible but a very slow method of refueling. Nothing was heard of the test afterwards."

Donation of Earle F. Brookins, Jamestown, NY, 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 57,797 bytes; 740 x 475 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 50636

Earnest Randolph Crammer,

Seaman, U.S. Navy

Who was lost with USS Cyclops in March 1918.
His cap band is from that ship.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 41,143 bytes; 610 x 775 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 92095

Roy Stuart Merriam,

Coxwain, U.S. Navy

Who was lost with USS Cyclops in March 1918.
His cap band is from USS San Diego (ACR-6).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 46,023 bytes; 470 x 775 pixels

 

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24 September 1998