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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
USS Charles Whittemore (ID # 3232), 1918-1919.
Originally the Civilian schooner Charles Whittemore (1905)
Charles Whittemore, a 693 gross ton four-masted schooner,
was built in 1905 at Mystic, Connecticut, for commerical employment.
In August 1918 she was purchased by the Navy and fitted out as
a "decoy" ship, or "Q" ship as the British
called vessels intended to attract German submarine surface attacks
by their innocent and defenseless appearance. In Charles Whittemore's
case, she operated with the U.S. submarine N-5, whose torpedoes
would provide a lethal "hook" for any U-Boat lured into
range by the schooner. The two vessels made one combat cruise
in the north Atlantic between mid-August and early September 1918.
After that trip, which produced no positive results, Charles
Whittemore was used to carry supplies and equipment to support
Atlantic Fleet submarines. She was decommissioned and sold in
May 1919.
This page features all the views we have related to USS
Charles Whittemore (ID # 3232).
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 102436
USS Charles Whittemore (ID # 3232)
In port, probably at the time she was acquired for U.S. Navy
service in August 1918. During August and September 1918 this
schooner was briefly employed as a "decoy" ship, in
an attempt to lure German U-boats into range of a submerged U.S.
submarine. She was subsequently used along the East Coast for
logistics support purposes.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 45KB; 740 x 385 pixels |
![](../../images/i02000/i02436t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 93525
USS Charles Whittemore (ID # 3232)
Lieutenant Joseph Lyons, USNRF, ship's commanding officer, on
her quarterdeck while she was under sail in 1918. This schooner
made one voyage as an anti-submarine "decoy" ship in
August and September 1918.
Collection of Gilman L. Smith, donated by his daughter, Verna
E. Smith, 1981.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 80KB; 485 x 765 pixels |
![](../../images/h93000/h93525t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 99217
USS Charles Whittemore (ID # 3232)
Ship's mascot bulldog on deck in 1918.
Written on the back of the original print is: "The bull
took the best picture of the two of us. On the sch. Chas Whittemore,
Boston".
Collection of Gilman L. Smith, donated by his daughter, Verna
E. Smith, 1981.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 74KB; 490 x 765 pixels |
![](../../images/h99000/h99217t.jpg) |
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Page made 4 April 2004