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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 96062:  Catherine Johnson and other lighters alongside a British freighter, 5 May 1917


Online Library of Selected Images:
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Catherine Johnson (American Powered Lighter, 1913). Previously named Edith B.
Served as U.S. Navy Freight Lighter # 161, YF-161 and YC-660 during 1918-1932

Edith B., a 196 gross ton steam lighter, was built in 1913. Later renamed Catherine Johnson, she was examined for possible Navy use in 1917 and given the registry number SP-390. The Navy took her into service in June 1918 and employed her thereafter in Third Naval District, probably in the vicinity of New York City. She was named Freight Lighter # 161 until July 1920, when she became YF-161. She was removed from service in November 1930, redesignated YC-660 at about the same time, and sold in late September 1932.

This page features the only views we have concerning the lighter Catherine Johnson, which was later the U.S. Navy's Freight Lighter # 161, YF-161 and YC-660.


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 96062

Lighters alongside a British freighter


In port on 5 May 1917, probably at New York City. The steam lighter nearest to the camera at left is Metcalf No. 1. Those at right are George H. Johnson and Catherine Johnson.
The latter, which was previously named Edith B., was acquired by the Navy on 24 July 1918 as Catherine Johnson (SP-390). Renamed Freight Lighter # 161, she was later YF-161 and YC-660 and was sold on 29 September 1932.

The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 595 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102737

Steam lighters George H. Johnson
(center) and Catherine Johnson (left)

Loading or unloading barrels while alongside an unidentified freighter prior to World War I.
Photographed by W.L. Drummond, 72 Wall Street, New York.
These two lighters were owned by the T. Johnson Company of New York City. Both were inspected in 1917 for possible Navy service, receiving (respectively) the registry numbers SP-379 and SP-390. Only Catherine Johnson was taken over by the Navy, becoming Freight Lighter # 161 and later YF-161 and YC-660.
Note the two-masted schooner in the right distance.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 450 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 December 2004
New image added 26 February 2005