Return to Naval Historical
Center home page.
Return to Online
Library listing
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
USS George Washington (ID # 3018), 1917-1919 --
Views taken during President Wilson's European Voyages
Between December 1918 and July 1919 USS George Washington
carried President Woodrow Wilson across the Atlantic four times,
twice eastbound to participate in World War I peace negotiations
and twice westbound, returning him to the United States. It was
the first major overseas trip by any American Head of State. Except
for a brief break in February and March 1919, President Wilson
was out of the country for more than half a year.
Wilson's first trip on George Washington began at New
York on 4 December. Convoyed by the battleship Pennsylvania
and ten destroyers, the transport's nine-day voyage brought her
near Brest, France, on the morning of the 13th. Met there by a
large force of U.S. Navy battleships and destroyers that had been
serving in European waters, she was ceremoniously escorted into
the port, where the President disembarked to continue his journey
to Paris by rail. Following two months of negotiations, he reembarked
on George Washington on 15 February 1919 to return to the
United States, arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, on 23 February.
The ship then steamed back to New York to prepare for further
work.
After but ten days at home, during which he endeavored without
much success to build Congressional support for his diplomacy,
on 5 March 1919 President Wilson departed New York on George
Washington to begin his second trip to Europe. Upon arrival
at Brest on 13 March he returned to Paris, where negotiations
with the other major allied powers were so difficult that, on
7 April, Wilson publicly inquired when George Washington
could take him home. She was not immediately available, being
actively employed returning U.S. service personnel from the former
war zone. In any case, the President remained in Paris until the
Treaty of Versailles had been signed. On 29 June Woodrow Wilson
boarded USS George Washington for his final Atlantic voyage,
which ended at New York (actually Hoboken, New Jersey, the ship's
normal terminal) on 8 July 1919.
This page features undated views concerning USS George
Washington (ID # 3018) during President Woodrow Wilson's trips
between the U.S. and France in December 1918 -- July 1919, and
provides links to images on this subject that can be attributed
to a particular voyage.
For other pictures related to this subject, see:
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018) -- President Wilson's Voyage to France, December 1918;
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018) -- President Wilson's Voyage from France, February 1919;
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018) -- President Wilson's Voyage to France, March 1919;
and
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018) -- President Wilson's Voyage from France, June-July 1919.
For additional images concerning this ship, see:
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018), 1917-1919.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 103172
President Woodrow Wilson (right center)
On board USS George Washington (ID # 3018) circa December
1918 - March 1919, during one of his voyages to or from France.
Mrs. Wilson is in the left center.
The original image is printed on postal card ("AZO")
stock.
Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C.
Collection of Admiral Albert Gleaves, USN.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 425 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 100631
President Woodrow Wilson
On board USS George Washington (ID # 3018) during one
of his voyages between the United States and France, December
1918 - July 1919.
Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1986.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 57KB; 740 x 535 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 104819
USS George Washington (ID # 3018)
Halftone reproduction of a photograph of President Woodrow Wilson
on the ship's port bridge wing, circa December 1918 - March 1919.
It was published in 1919 by the National Specialties Company
of New York City as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder"
of views concerning USS George Washington.
President Wilson is in the center, with ship's officers, members
of the President's party and U.S. Marines also present.
Note the engine order telegraph, pelorus and megaphone.
Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 100632
USS George Washington (ID # 3018)
Passengers playing deck games, probably during one of President
Woodrow Wilson's voyages to or from Europe, circa December 1918
- July 1919.
Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1986.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 480 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 100634
C-92 (French Submarine Chaser, 1918-1935. Formerly
the U.S. Navy SC-390)
Alongside USS George Washington (ID # 3018) with a military
band playing on her foredeck, probably at Brest, France, during
one of President Woodrow Wilson's arrivals or departures, circa
December 1918 - June 1919.
Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1986.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 540 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 57089
Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels (seated)
Talks via radio to President Woodrow Wilson, who is on board
USS George Washington (ID # 3018) nearly 700 miles at
sea. Photographed at the Naval Radio Station, Annapolis, Maryland.
Commander Percy W. Foote, USN, Aide to Secretary Daniels, is
standing at right.
Photograph may have been taken in February-March 1919.
Note the overseas service chevron on Commander Foote's jacket
sleeve.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 565 pixels |
 |
For other pictures related to this subject, see:
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018) -- President Wilson's Voyage to France, December 1918;
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018) -- President Wilson's Voyage from France, February 1919;
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018) -- President Wilson's Voyage to France, March 1919;
and
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018) -- President Wilson's Voyage from France, June-July 1919.
For additional images concerning this ship, see:
USS George Washington (ID
# 3018), 1917-1919.
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
Page made 19 December 2005
New image added 28 May 2007