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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 47198:  USS Venetia off the Mare Island Navy Yard, circa October 1917

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

USS Venetia (SP-431), 1917-1919.
Originally the civilian yacht Venetia (1904)

Venetia, a 589 gross ton steam yacht built at Leith, Scotland, in 1904, was acquired by the Navy in early August 1917 for World War I service. After outfitting at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, she was placed in commission in mid-October 1917 as USS Venetia (SP-431). She steamed to the East Coast via the Panama Canal and, late in the year, began a voyage to the European war zone by way of Bermuda and the Azores. A few weeks after arriving at Gibraltar in mid-February 1918, Venetia began escorting convoys in the western Mediterranean. On 11 May, while so employed, she attacked the German submarine UB-52, driving it away from her convoy. The yacht had two further encounters with the enemy, one later in May and another in July. In November, just as the war was ending, Venetia made an escort trip to the Azores. She left Europe in December and, after stopping in the West Indies, went on to San Francisco, California, where she arrived in February 1919. Following decommissioning, Venetia was returned to her owner, John D. Spreckles, in early April. Her long subsequent career in yachting circles lasted until the later 1960s.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Venetia (SP-431) and the civilian yacht Venetia of 1904.


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 89772

Venetia
(American Steam Yacht, 1904)

At anchor off San Diego, California, prior to World War I. Venetia flies the flag of John D. Spreckles' Oceanic Steamship Company. He was her owner.
This yacht served as USS Venetia (SP-431) in 1917-1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 41KB; 740 x 420 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 47198

USS Venetia
(SP-431)

Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, circa October 1917.
She is painted in what may be Mackay low-visibility camouflage.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 54KB; 740 x 515 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 85180-A

USS Venetia
(SP-431)

Photograph dated 26 February 1919, upon her return to San Francisco, California, following World War I service. She has a star mounted on her smokestack in recognition of her wartime anti-submarine activities.
Venetia was formerly the yacht of San Francisco businessman John D. Spreckles.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 45KB; 740 x 445 pixels

Note:
For a version of this view showing the the ship's extreme bow and stern, but which is disfigured by two vertical cracks, see: Photo # NH 85180.

 
Photo #: NH 85180

USS Venetia
(SP-431)

Photograph dated 26 February 1919, upon her return to San Francisco, California, following World War I service. She has a star mounted on her smokestack in recognition of her wartime anti-submarine activities.
Venetia was formerly the yacht of San Francisco businessman John D. Spreckles.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 510 pixels

Note:
This image disfigured by two vertical cracks, where the original print had been folded. For a version that does not have these cracks, but which has the ship's extreme bow and stern cropped out of the view, see: Photo # NH 85180-A.

 
Photo #: NH 45230

USS Venetia
(SP-431)

Crew members polish the "star of reward" mounted on this ship's smokestack. Photographed at San Francisco, California, 26 February 1919.
This star was awarded to the ship for her anti-submarine activities during World War I. At the time she was credited with sinking three German U-boats.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 48855

Gunner Illinus D. Jacobus, USN


Standing by a depth charge on board USS Venetia (SP-431), at San Francisco, California, 26 February 1919.
Note the flaming bombshell insignia on his collar.
He is accompanied by a Chief Petty Officer.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 54KB; 560 x 765 pixels

 


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


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Page made 29 January 2006