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Photo # NH 70471-A:  USS Chestnut Hill in port, 16 March 1918

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

USS Chestnut Hill (ID # 2526), 1918-1919

USS Chestnut Hill, a 10,150-ton (displacement) fuel tanker, was launched in 1917 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the commercial tanker Desdemona. She was acquired by the Navy and placed in commission in mid-March 1918. During the rest of World War I, the ship was mainly employed to escort and refuel gasoline-engined submarine chasers (SC) on voyages from the United States to the Azores, making two such trips during March-June and a third in September and October. Over the summer of 1918 and in the late fall Chestnut Hill was also used to transport fuel along the U.S. East Coast and between Texas and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In late 1918 and early 1919 she had another SC escort job, this time shepherding her small charges from the Azores to the Caribbean, then carried fuel to Gibraltar. She completed her active Navy career with a fifth submarine chaser escort voyage, from Europe to New York, in July and August. USS Chestnut Hill was decommissioned in early September 1919 and returned to the U.S. Shipping Board.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Chestnut Hill (ID # 2526).

Related Subjects: For images concerning a USS Chestnut Hill crewman who was awarded the Medal of Honor for "gallant conduct and extraordinary heroism" when USS SC-219 burned and sank on 9 October 1919, see:

  • Chief Gunner's Mate Oscar Schmidt Jr., USN.


    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 70471-A

    USS Chestnut Hill
    (ID # 2526)

    In port, probably at or near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 16 March 1918, two days after she was commissioned.
    Launched on 23 August 1917 as the S.S. Desdemona, this tanker was acquired by the Navy on 14 March 1918 and placed in commission on the same day.

    The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105266

    USS Chestnut Hill
    (ID # 2526)

    Photographed at the time of her completion in March 1918, either at the yard of her builder at Gloucester, N.J., or at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This tanker was in commission from 14 March 1918 to 3 September 1919. The photograph was used on a Navy data card for a sister, USS John M. Connelly (ID # 2703), but the name on the bow appears to be Chestnut Hill.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 46KB; 740 x 330 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99657

    USS Chestnut Hill
    (ID # 2526)

    In port, possibly when she was inspected by the Third Naval District on 16 May 1918.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 64962

    USS Chestnut Hill
    (ID # 2526)

    At sea, probably photographed from USS SC-143 while she was escorting a group of submarine chasers from Bermuda to the Azores in 1918.

    Collection of Peter K. Connelly. Courtesy of William H. Davis, 1967.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 92KB; 595 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99631

    USS Chestnut Hill
    (ID # 2526)

    In a harbor, circa October 1918, possibly at Bermuda while she was escorting a group of submarine chasers across the Atlantic.
    Note her pattern camouflage.

    Collection of George K. Beach, who was a crewmember of USS SC-331 at the time.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 540 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99636

    USS Chestnut Hill
    (ID # 2526)

    At sea, circa October 1918, while she was escorting a group of submarine chasers from Bermuda to the Azores.
    Note her pattern camouflage.

    Collection of George K. Beach, who was a crewmember of USS SC-331 at the time.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 535 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99632

    USS Chestnut Hill
    (ID # 2526)

    Refueling submarine chasers at sea in October 1918, while she was escorting them from Bermuda to the Azores.

    Collection of George K. Beach, who was a crewmember of USS SC-331 at the time.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99635

    USS Chestnut Hill
    (ID # 2526), at right

    Refueling a submarine chaser (probably SC-331), at sea in October 1918, while she was escorting a group of submarine chasers from Bermuda to the Azores.

    Collection of George K. Beach, who was a crewmember of USS SC-331 at the time.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 92KB; 520 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 41982

    USS SC-219
    (center distance)

    Afire and sinking in the Atlantic on 9 October 1918. Another submarine chaser and what appears to be a tug are standing by.
    Photographed by Chief Yeoman S.D. McGee, USN, from USS Chestnut Hill (ID # 2526), which was escorting a group of submarine chasers across the ocean. One of the SCs is in the foreground.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 54KB; 740 x 435 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 55114

    USS Chestnut Hill
    (ID # 2526)

    Entering Dry Dock Number Two at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 28 August 1919.
    Photographed by LaTour, Philadelphia.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 475 pixels

     


    Additional view: Photo # NH 99633, a view of the sinking of USS SC-219 was taken while USS Chestnut Hill was present, though not visible in this photograph.

    Related image: Photo # NH 65096 is a view of USS John M. Connelly (ID #2703), USS Chestnut Hill's sister ship.

    Related Subjects: For images concerning a USS Chestnut Hill crewman who was awarded the Medal of Honor for "gallant conduct and extraordinary heroism" when USS SC-219 burned and sank on 9 October 1919, see:

  • Chief Gunner's Mate Oscar Schmidt Jr., USN.


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


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 24 October 2004
    New images added 5 December 2007