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Photo # NH 70454:  USS Fairmont in harbor on a winter day, circa 1918-1919

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

USS Fairmont (ID # 2429), 1918-1919.
Originally the civilian steamship Fairmont (1918)

USS Fairmont, a 5400 gross ton cargo ship, was built at Camden, New Jersey, in 1917-1918 as the civilian collier of the same name. She was taken over by the Navy upon completion and placed in commission in February 1918. Fairmont was employed transporting equipment and supplies between the United States and France, making four trans-Atlantic round trip voyages for this purpose from March to November 1918, when the Armistice brought World War I's fighting to an end. She also made a post-war trip in December 1918 and January 1919, taking food and coal to Rotterdam, Holland. USS Fairmont was decommissioned in February 1919 and returned to her owner. While in commercial service in 1922, she was renamed Nebraskan.

This page features all the views we have related to USS Fairmont (ID # 2429) and the civilian steamship Fairmont.


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 99176

S.S. Fairmont
(American Collier, 1918)

In port, probably soon after completion in early 1918.
Note her large open hatch covers and the small gun mounted at her bow.
Built by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation at Camden, New Jersey, this ship was taken over by the Navy in February 1918 and served as USS Fairmont (ID # 2429) until decommissioned in February 1919. She was renamed Nebraskan while in commercial service in 1922.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 405 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 99177

S.S. Fairmont
(American Collier, 1918)

In port, probably soon after completion in early 1918. She served as USS Fairmont (ID # 2429) in 1918-1919.
This photograph was mounted on the "SP" data card for USS Winding Gulf (ID # 3379), which appears to have been of identical design. Both ships were built by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, at Camden, New Jersey.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 375 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 70454

USS Fairmont
(ID # 2429)

In harbor on a winter day, circa 1918-1919.
Note ice on the ship's side amidships.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 59KB; 740 x 480 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 99179

USS Fairmont
(ID # 2429)

View on board while the ship was underway during her first trip to France, March 1918.
Note the smashed cases of deck cargo at left.

Collection of Grant S. Ray, who served in Fairmont during World War I.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 115KB; 520 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 99181

USS Fairmont
(ID # 2429)

Ship's after (six-inch) gun, 1918.
Inscription on the original print's reverse reads: "Crew made 8 hits 17000 yds at 12 knots". If this statement is correct, this would have been an extraordinary feat of gunnery.

Collection of Grant S. Ray, who served in Fairmont during World War I.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 490 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 99180

USS Fairmont
(ID # 2429)

Some of the ship's gunners pose by her forward (three-inch) gun, 28 June 1918.

Collection of Grant S. Ray, who served in Fairmont during World War I.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 515 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 99192

USS Fairmont
(ID # 2429)

Crewmen with a small gun (perhaps a 3-pounder) on board the ship, while she was at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 1918.

Collection of Grant S. Ray, who served in Fairmont during World War I.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 123KB; 475 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 99178

USS Fairmont
(ID # 2429)

Some of the ship's gunners during a wash day on board, 1918.

Collection of Grant S. Ray, who served in Fairmont during World War I.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 490 pixels

 


The following photograph was taken from USS Fairmont:

Photo #: NH 99739

USS Isabel
(SP-521)

At sea on 29 June 1918, photographed from USS Fairmont (ID # 2429) by crewmember Grant S. Ray.
This "destroyer" (note torpedo tubes amidships), converted from a fast yacht, had received wartime credit for destroying at least one German submarine, though the U-Boat appears to have actually escaped. Isabel was built for Toledo, Ohio, automobile manufacturer John North Willys, not for a member of the Vanderbilt family.

Collection of Grant S. Ray.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 445 pixels

 


Related image:

  • Photo # NH 106016-B, a view showing, in its left background, a ship which may be Fairmont.


    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 March 2004
    New image added 6 December 2008