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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 West Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5, later CA-5),
1905-1930. Renamed Huntington in November 1916 --
Selected Views
USS West Virginia, a 13,680 ton Pennsylvania
class armored cruiser, was built at Newport News, Virginia. Commissioned
in February 1905, she operated with the Atlantic Fleet until the
end of September 1906, then left the East Coast for the Far East.
West Virginia served in Asiatic waters until returning
to the U.S. in 1908 to become part of the Pacific Fleet. In addition
to serving off the U.S. West Coast, the cruiser operated in the
Hawaiian Islands area and off Mexico. During the mid-1910s she
was in reserve at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington,
but returned to active status in 1916 for duty off Mexico. West
Virginia was renamed Huntington in November of that
year, freeing her "state" name for a new
battleship.
Following her Mexican assignment Huntington was overhauled
and fitted with a catapult, mounted fore and aft to launch a seaplane
over her stern. In May 1917 she steamed through the Panama Canal
to begin duty at the Naval Aeronautic Station at Pensacola, Florida,
where she experimented with shipboard airplane and balloon operations.
Huntington began World War I service in August, escorting
trans-Atlantic convoys during that month and the next. Her aircraft
facilities were removed in October. After carrying senior American
officials to England for a wartime conference in October and November
1917, Huntington resumed convoy escort work, which lasted
until the fighting ended in November 1918.
Huntington was then modified for use as a troop
transport and, between December 1918 and July 1919, brought
more than 13,000 First World War veterans home from the former
European combat zone. During the next year the cruiser remained
on active duty as Flying Squadron flagship. Designated CA-5 in
July 1920, she was placed out of commission at the beginning of
that September. In March 1930, after being laid up for nearly
a decade, USS Huntington was stricken from the Navy list.
She was sold for scrapping in August 1930.
This page features views concerning USS West Virginia
(Armored Cruiser # 5, later CA-5), which was renamed Huntington
in 1916, selected from the comprehensive pictorial coverage of
her contained in the pages listed below.
For all the pictures we have related to this ship, see:
USS West Virginia (Armored
Cruiser # 5) -- Views taken in 1910 and before;
USS West Virginia, later renamed
Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5) -- Views taken in 1911-1917;
USS Huntington, formerly West
Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5) -- Views taken in 1918;
USS Huntington, formerly West
Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5, later CA-5) -- Views taken
in 1919 and Later;
USS West Virginia, later renamed
Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5) -- On Board and Close
Up Views, taken in 1905-1917;
USS Huntington, formerly West
Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5, later CA-5) -- On Board and
Close Up Views, taken in 1918 and Later; and
USS West Virginia, later renamed
Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5, later CA-5) -- Miscellaneous
Views.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 43749
USS West Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5)
At anchor, circa 1908.
She is flying a Rear Admiral's flag from her mainmast peak, and
carries her name in large letters above her pilothouse.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 575 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 92173
USS West Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5)
In a harbor, probably on the Pacific Coast, circa 1916.
This ship was renamed Huntington in November of that year.
The original image was printed on postal card ("AZO")
stock.
Collection of Thomas P. Naughton, 1973.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 470 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 83128
USS West Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5)
Pitching her forefoot out of the water while steaming through
heavy seas, circa 1916. Note the water streaming from her hull
gun casemates and top of her side armor.
Photographed by Wilkinson.
Collection of Chief Warrant Officer J.B. Dofflemeyer, 1972.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 59KB; 740 x 540 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 44221-A
USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5, ex-West Virginia)
Catapulting a Curtiss "F" type flying boat while underway,
25 June 1917.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 100KB; 740 x 610 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 44910
USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5, ex-West Virginia)
Underway at sea while escorting a troopship convoy in 1918.
She is painted in pattern camouflage.
Donation of John Shaw, via Captain Jules James, USN, 1939.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 46KB; 740 x 530 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 50039
USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5, ex-West Virginia)
Underway, circa 1919.
This print appears to have been used for recruiting purposes.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 98KB; 740 x 630 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 46895
USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5, ex-West Virginia)
"Bucking the big ones": steaming through heavy seas
while transporting troops home from France, 1919.
Courtesy of Lieutenant Commander Ellis M. Zacharias, USN, 1931.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 485 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 46891
USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5, ex-West Virginia)
Divine services on the ship's quarterdeck in 1919, while she
was transporting troops home from France.
Note the canvas spread between the gun barrels of Huntington's
after eight-inch gun turret.
Courtesy of Lieutenant Commander Ellis M. Zacharias, USN, 1931.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
 |
For views concerning a USS Huntington crew member
who received the Medal
of Honor for rescuing a balloon observer on 17 September
1917, see:
Carpenter
Patrick McGunigal, USN (1876-1936).
For all the pictures we have related to this ship, see:
USS West Virginia (Armored
Cruiser # 5) -- Views taken in 1910 and before;
USS West Virginia, later renamed
Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5) -- Views taken in 1911-1917;
USS Huntington, formerly West
Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5) -- Views taken in 1918;
USS Huntington, formerly West
Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5, later CA-5) -- Views taken
in 1919 and Later;
USS West Virginia, later renamed
Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5) -- On Board and Close
Up Views, taken in 1905-1917;
USS Huntington, formerly West
Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5, later CA-5) -- On Board and
Close Up Views, taken in 1918 and Later; and
USS West Virginia, later renamed
Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5, later CA-5) -- Miscellaneous
Views.
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Historical Center home page.
Page made 16 September 2006
Link added 18 March 2008