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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 65079:  SS West Zula underway, probably during builder's trials, circa September 1918


Online Library of Selected Images:
-- CIVILIAN SHIPS --

S.S. West Zula (American Freighter, 1918).
Served as USS West Zula (ID # 3501) in 1918-1919

S.S. West Zula, a 6000 gross ton (12,287 tons displacement) freighter, was built by the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Company at San Pedro, California as part of the World War I ship construction effort. She was turned over to the Navy upon completion in September 1918 and placed in commission as USS West Zula (ID # 3501). The ship's maiden voyage began in November of that year and took her to Chile to pick up a cargo of nitrates, which she carried to the U.S. East Coast by way of the Panama Canal. The rest of West Zula's Navy career was spent undergoing repairs at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York City. Decommissioned in late February 1919, she was returned to the U.S. Shipping Board. After nearly a decade and a half in that agency's custody, West Zula was abandoned in 1933.

This page features the only views we have concerning the steamship West Zula, which served as USS West Zula (ID # 3501) in 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 65079

S.S. West Zula
(American Freighter, 1918)

Underway, probably during builder's trials, circa September 1918.
Built by the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Company at San Pedro, California, this ship was transferred to the Navy upon completion. She was placed in commission as USS West Zula (ID # 3501) on 26 September 1918 and returned to the U.S. Shipping Board on 24 February 1919.
Note her "dazzle" camouflage.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 530 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 89437

S.S. West Zula
(American Freighter, 1918)

In port, probably at the time of her completion by the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company of San Pedro, California, circa September 1918.
This steamship served as USS West Zula (ID # 3501) in 1918-1919.
Note her "dazzle" camouflage.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 38KB; 740 x 255 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 12 September 2006