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

Photo # NH 94485:  S.S. Democracy at anchor, circa 1918.  Originally named Jupiter, she was later USS Democracy

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Democracy (ID # 2215), 1918-1919.
Previously S.S. Jupiter and S.S. Democracy (American Freighter, 1917)

USS Democracy , a 10,562-ton (displacement) cargo ship, was built in 1917 at Staten Island, New York, as the 4430 gross ton civilian freighter Jupiter. She carried a Naval Armed Guard unit while while transporting World War I cargo under that name in 1917-1918, and after being renamed Democracy in about August 1918. These men remained with her when she was transferred to the U.S. Navy in October of that year. As part of the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, she was employed carrying coal between the British Isles and France. In 1919 she transported food to ports on the hungry European continent and brought U.S. Army cargo back to the U.S. from the former war zone. USS Democracy was placed out of commission in mid-September 1919 and returned to the United States Shipping Board.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Democracy (ID # 2215) and the civilian freighter Jupiter and Democracy .


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 94485

S.S. Democracy
(American Freighter, 1917)

At anchor, circa 1918.
Originally named Jupiter, on 5 August 1918 this ship was reported to have been renamed. She was acquired by the Navy and placed in commission on 23 October 1918 as USS Democracy (ID # 2215). She was decommissioned and returned to the U.S. Shipping Board on 15 September 1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 50KB; 740 x 375 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 104447

USS Democracy
(ID # 2215)

At Danzig in 1919.
The original photograph is printed on postcard stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 505 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102929

S.S. Jupiter
(American Freighter, 1917)
Later S.S. Democracy and USS Democracy (ID # 2215)

J.M. Prentiss in cold weather clothing, wearing a holstered pistol, standing watch on one the ship's gun platforms, 1 December 1917. He was a member of the Jupiter Naval armed guard.

Donation of Fred Broughton, 1988.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 66KB; 425 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102930

S.S. Jupiter
(American Freighter, 1917).
Later S.S. Democracy and USS Democracy (ID # 2215)

J.E. Hall, a member of Jupiter's Naval armed guard, with cats "Mouse" and "Snow", circa 1917-1918.
Note lap-strake construction lifeboat in the background.

Donation of Fred Broughton, 1988.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 445 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102931

S.S. Jupiter
(American Freighter, 1917).
Later S.S. Democracy and USS Democracy (ID # 2215)

Mounting of the ship's five-inch gun, circa 1917-1918

Donation of Fred Broughton, 1988.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 520 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102932

USS Democracy
(ID # 2215).
Formerly S.S. Democracy and S.S. Jupiter (1917)

Crew of the ship's five-inch gun, 6 November 1918

Donation of Fred Broughton, 1988.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 440 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102933

USS Democracy
(ID # 2215).
Formerly S.S. Democracy and S.S. Jupiter (1917)

Crewmembers pose with a tractor being transported for the U.S. Army, 1918

Donation of Fred Broughton, 1988.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 440 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102934

USS Democracy
(ID # 2215).
Formerly S.S. Democracy and S.S. Jupiter (1917)

Crewmembers sewing canvas on deck by the ship's after hatch, at Cardiff, Wales, 17 July 1919.

Donation of Fred Broughton, 1988.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 108KB; 740 x 450 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102935

USS Democracy
(ID # 2215).
Formerly S.S. Democracy and S.S. Jupiter (1917)

View of the ship's wake, seen from her after gun platform as she turns to port, circa 1918-1919.

Donation of Fred Broughton, 1988.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 450 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102936

USS Democracy
(ID # 2215).
Formerly S.S. Democracy and S.S. Jupiter (1917)

View looking aft from the ship's port bridge wing, circa 1918-1919.

Donation of Fred Broughton, 1988.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 55KB; 510 x 765 pixels

 


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


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 30 April 2005
New image added 25 July 2007