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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 53051:  Carpenters at Naval Training Station, Newport, R.I., during World War I

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE-TOPICS --

African-Americans and the U.S. Navy --
World War I to World War II (Part II)


This page features more pictures of African-Americans in the Navy during and after World War I.


For additional images taken during this time period, see:

  • African-Americans and the U.S. Navy -- World War I to World War II.

    For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.


    The following pictures show African-Americans in Navy scenes, afloat and ashore, from 1917 to 1941.

    Photo #: NH 53051

    Naval Training Station, Newport, Rhode Island


    Station Carpenters, during World War I.
    Note the horseshoe over the door in the left center.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 125KB; 740 x 530 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53184

    Navy Department, Washington, D.C.


    Navy and civilian personnel in an office in the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, 1918.
    Several African-American Sailors are standing near the counter in the center background.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53183

    Navy Department, Washington, D.C.


    Navy and civilian personnel in an office in the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, 1918.
    This appears to be a form printing office: note machinery against the back wall, stacked papers, and cart below the table in the center. The two sailors present, in the left center distance, appear to be African-Americans.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 52917

    Navy Department, Washington, D.C.


    Navy personnel at work in a communications office located in the Main Navy or Munitions Buildings, circa early 1919.
    Note telegraph keys on tables, switching equipment in left background, and wall clock marked "Self Winding Clock Company".

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 124KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     


    The following photographs show African-American troops on board U.S. Navy transports during and soon after World War I:

    Photo #: NH 41889

    USS President Lincoln
    (1917-1918)

    Troops wearing life preservers on deck, while passing through the submarine zone, en route to France during World War I.
    These Soldiers appear to be members of an African-American unit.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103273

    USS President Lincoln
    (1917-1918)

    Soldiers of the 505th Service Battalion (an African-American unit) on deck, wearing life preservers as they pass through the submarine zone during the ship's second trip to France, circa late 1917.
    Mess kits are in evidence and some of the men are eating.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. - USS President Lincoln Collection.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 41877

    USS President Lincoln
    (1917-1918)

    Troops of the Rainbow Division reading London and New York newspapers on the transport's deck, probably while she was en route to the war zone, circa October 1917.
    Note that most of these men are wearing wide-brimmed campaign hats.
    An African-American Soldier is at left.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82957

    USS Pocahontas
    (ID # 3044)

    Negro troops on board during the ship's second trans-Atlantic voyage, 1917.

    Collection of the USS Pocahontas Reunion Association, 1974.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 400 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98575

    USS Mercury (ID # 3012)


    Boxing match on board, probably while the ship was bringing troops home from France, circa 1919
    Both contestents in this match are African-Americans.

    Courtesy of Mrs. W.A. Nightengale, 1971.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 155KB; 740 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104653

    USS Santa Olivia
    (ID # 3125)

    Boxing match on board, while the ship was en route from France to the United States, carrying homeward bound troops in 1919.
    The original photograph was printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 107034

    USS Koningin der Nederlanden
    (ID # 2708)

    Homeward bound Soldiers (mainly African-Americans) on board the ship in 1919.
    The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 101KB; 900 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 107032

    USS Koningin der Nederlanden
    (ID # 2708)

    Scene on board in 1919, while the ship was at sea bringing American troops home from France.
    This view looks aft and to port from the foremast.
    Note that some of these Soldiers are African-Americans.
    The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 84KB; 900 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103675

    USS Zeelandia
    (ID # 2507)

    Docked at Charleston, South Carolina, with troops on board returning home from Europe, 1919.
    Many of the Soldiers visible are African-Americans.
    Panoramic photograph by Sargeant, Columbia, S.C.
    The original print's image is 35" long and 7.1" inches high.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 1200 x 265 pixels

     


    For additional images taken during this time period, see:

  • African-Americans and the U.S. Navy -- World War I to World War II.

    For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.


    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 may 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 Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 10 October 2005
    New images added 27 December 2010