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Photo # NH 74665-KN:  Color-tinted photograph of USS Rappahannock in port, circa 1922-1924

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

USS Rappahannock (ID # 1854, later AF-6), 1917-1933

USS Rappahannock, a 17,000-ton (displacement) cargo and store ship, was built in Vegesack, Germany, in 1913 as the 6557 gross ton commercial freighter Pommern. Owned by the North German Lloyd shipping line, she sought refuge in a neutral U.S. port upon the outbreak of World War I and was seized when the United States entered the conflict in April 1917. Renamed Rappahannock and given registry ID # 1854, she was delivered to the Navy and commissined in December 1917. During the next year, the ship was employed by the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, making four voyages across the Atlantic in support of wartime operations, plus an additional round-trip between the U.S. and Europe in 1919.

Rappahannock was inactive at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, for nearly two years beginning in mid-1919. She was classified as a store ship in July 1920 and designated AF-6. Returned to active service in June 1922, she supported the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets until placed out of commission in December 1924. Rappahannock was sold in October 1933, after being laid up at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, for more than seven years. Subsequently renamed William Luckenbach, the steamer operated commercially under the U.S. Flag until 1946, when she was sold to a Italian shipping firm and renamed Maria C.. Following a four-decade long civilian and Naval career, she was scrapped in 1953.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Rappahannock (ID # 1854, later AF-6).


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 44060

USS Rappahannock
(ID # 1854)

Probably shown while being operated by the Shipping Board in 1917 or very early in her Navy career. Formerly the German Pommern, this ship was seized at Honolulu in April 1917 and commissioned in the Navy in December 1917. She was designated AF-6 in 1920.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105481

USS Rappahannock
(ID # 1854)

At anchor, circa 1918. The ship is painted in pattern camouflage.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 44KB; 740 x 465 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105921

USS Rappahannock
(ID # 1854, later AF-6)

Photographed circa 1918. The ship is painted in World War I pattern camouflage.

Donation of Captain Stephen S. Roberts, USNR (Retired), 2008.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 475 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 69440

USS Rappahannock (AF-6)


Moored off San Diego, California, during the early 1920s.
Several destroyers are tied up in the left distance, among them: USS Woodbury (DD-309), 2nd from left; and USS Mullany (DD-325), 4th from left.
Photographed by the Pier Studio, San Diego.

Courtesy of ESKC Joseph L. Aguillard, USNR, 1969.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 1219

USS Rappahannock
(AF-6, formerly ID # 1854)

At anchor, with boats streamed astern, April 1923.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.

Online Image size: 79KB; 740 x 585 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 74665-KN (color)

USS Rappahannock (AF-6, formerly ID # 1854)

In port, circa 1922-1924.
The original print is a color-tinted black & white photograph.

Donation of Donald M. McPherson, 1971.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 630 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 1342

USS Rappahannock
(AF-6, formerly ID # 1854)

At anchor, circa 1922-1924.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image size: 60KB; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105186

USS Rappahannock
(AF-6, formerly ID # 1854)

Off Pensacola, Florida, July 1924.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.

Online Image size: 108KB; 740 x 620 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105169

USS Rappahannock
(ID # 1854, later AF-6)

View looking aft over the foredeck, toward the bridge and pilothouse, 1919.
Note the liquid cargo drums stowed on deck.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image size: 66KB; 740 x 440 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105168

USS Rappahannock
(ID # 1854, later AF-6)

View on board, while the ship was at sea in 1919.
Despite the inscription on the photo, this image actually looks forward over the afterdeck toward the midships superstructure.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image size: 75KB; 740 x 435 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105170

USS Rappahannock
(ID # 1854, later AF-6)

View looking forward from the mainmast top, circa 1918-1919.
Note large number of ventilators on and near the ship's midships superstructure.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image size: 94KB; 450 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105171

USS Rappahannock
(ID # 1854, later AF-6)

View taken from on board the ship during World War I, as she steamed with a convoy bound for St. Nazaire, France.
The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image size: 69KB; 740 x 480 pixels

 


USS Rappahannock (AF-6) is seen in the left background of the following photograph:

Photo #: NH 78187

USS Huntington
(CA-5)

Alongside "Flat-Iron Pier" at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, circa 1920.
The ship on her other side is USS Rappahannock (AF-6).
Several submarines are in the photo's center, among them USS S-6 (SS-111).

Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN(MSC), 1973.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 475 pixels

 


The ship seen in the foreground of the following photograph closely resembles USS Rappahannock in all visible details, and may well be her:

Photo #: NH 105617

USAT Amphion
(ID # 1888), in background

This photograph may have been taken when Amphion was inspected by the Third Naval District in March 1919. Amphion is the ship in the background to the right. The bow in the foreground may belong to USS Rappahannock (ID # 1854, later AF-6)).

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 66KB; 545 x 765 pixels

 


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


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


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 6 November 2007
    New image added 8 January 2009