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Photo # NH 82758:  Torpedo damage to USS West Bridge

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

USS West Bridge (ID # 2888), 1918-1919 --
Torpedoed, 15 August 1918

In the late afternoon of 15 August 1918 USS West Bridge was steaming in convoy toward France when she suffered a casualty in her steam turbine. The problem forced her to drop out of formation and call for a tow. A few minutes later the German submarine U-90 torpedoed S.S. Montanan, another member of the convoy, inflicting damage that ultimately proved fatal. Realizing the peril, West Bridge's commanding officer sent his crew to general quarters and evacuated most men from the machinery spaces.

Though USS Noma, one of the convoy escorts, was standing by, another enemy submarine (probably U-107, though an older source cites U-90) reached a firing position and launched a pair of torpedoes. One hit West Bridge amidships, opening her engine room to the sea. The second struck further forward, in number three hold. With two large holes in her starboard side, the ship seemed doomed. Her crew took to their boats. West Bridge, however, remained afloat, though with almost no bouyancy remaining. After the destroyer Burrows had rescued the stricken ship's crew and left the scene, a salvage party from USS Smith went aboard. Tugs arrived later and towed West Bridge some 400 miles to Brest, France. One of her officers and three crewmen lost their lives in this incident.

This page features all the views we have related to the torpedoing of USS West Bridge (ID # 2888) by a German submarine on 15 August 1918.

For other views of this ship, see:

  • USS West Bridge (ID # 2888), 1918-1919.


    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 82758

    USS West Bridge
    (ID # 2888)

    In drydock at Brest, France, looking aft on the starboard side, showing the two torpedo holes received in a German submarine attack on 15 August 1918.
    Note the boiler visible in the aftermost hole.

    Courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer Keith L. Anderson, USN (Retired), 1974.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 111KB; 505 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82757

    USS West Bridge
    (ID # 2888)

    In drydock at Brest, France, with a French workman standing in the aftermost of two torpedo holes received in a German submarine attack on 15 August 1918.
    Note the boiler visible within the ship.

    Courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer Keith L. Anderson, USN (Retired), 1974.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 100KB; 495 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82759

    USS West Bridge
    (ID # 2888)

    In drydock at Brest, France, looking forward along the starboard side, showing the two torpedo holes received in a German submarine attack on 15 August 1918.

    Courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer Keith L. Anderson, USN (Retired), 1974.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 119KB; 500 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82760

    USS West Bridge
    (ID # 2888)

    In drydock at Brest, France, showing French workmen repairing torpedo damage received in a German submarine attack on 15 August 1918.
    Note timbers placed over the two torpedo holes in the ship's starboard side.

    Courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer Keith L. Anderson, USN (Retired), 1974.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 115KB; 500 x 765 pixels

     


    Related (if only slightly) image:

  • Photo # NH 105586 is a view of ship identified on the original print as USS West Bridge. However, the ship seen is actually S.S. Montanan, which had a considerably different appearance.

    For other views of this ship, see:

  • USS West Bridge (ID # 2888), 1918-1919.


    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 3 December 2003
    Links added 9 March 2008