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

Photo # NH 102436:  USS Charles Whittemore in port, probably at the time she was acquired for Navy service in August 1918

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).


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

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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

 
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

 
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

 


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


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Page made 4 April 2004