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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 46475:  USS Robert H. McCurdy in harbor, during World War I

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

USS Robert H. McCurdy (ID # 3157), 1918-1919
Originally the civilian schooner Robert H. McCurdy (1903)

Robert H. McCurdy, a 735 gross ton four-masted schooner, was built at Rockland, Maine, in 1903 for commercial employment. She was acquired by the Navy in late July 1918 and placed in commission at that time as USS Robert H. McCurdy (ID # 3157), with the intention of using her as a "decoy ship" to lure German U-Boats into torpedo range of accompanying U.S. Navy submarines. She operated out of Lewes, Delaware, with Submarine Division Eight during the late summer and fall of 1918. Later in the year she took part in minefield clearance operations off Atlantic City, New Jersey. USS Robert H. McCurdy was decommissioned at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in February 1919 and sold in June of that year.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Robert H. McCurdy (ID # 3157) and the civilian schooner of that name.


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 102633

USS Robert H. McCurdy
(ID # 3157)

Photographed in 1918, probably in late July when she was acquired for U.S. Navy service as a decoy ship operating in cooperation with U.S. submarines in an attempt to trap German U-Boats operating off the Atlantic Coast.
The three-masted schooner at left is almost certainly USS Helvetia (ID # 3096), which was acquired at the same time, for the same purpose. The vessel nested between the two appears to be a lightship.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 46475

USS Robert H. McCurdy
(ID # 3157)

In harbor, during World War I.
This four-masted schooner was employed as an anti-submarine "mystery ship".
In the background are a converted yacht patrol vessel (left) and a submarine chaser (right).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 22

USS Robert H. McCurdy
(ID # 3157)

In harbor, circa mid-1918.
This four-masted schooner was employed as an anti-submarine "mystery ship" during the last months of World War I.
Photographed by A.E. Gaynor.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 520 pixels

 


The following photograph shows a four-masted schooner that is probably USS Robert H. McCurdy:

Photo #: NH 102634

USS Vega
(SP-734)

Off Cape May, New Jersey, circa summer or fall 1918.
The four-masted schooner in the right center background is probably USS Robert H. McCurdy (ID # 3157), a decoy ship intended to lure German U-Boats within torpedo range of nearby U.S. Navy submarines.

Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 440 pixels

 

Related photograph: Photo # NH 102635 shows a bark rigged sailing vessel that is incorrectly identified as USS Robert H. McCurdy.


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


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Page made 28 December 2004