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

Photo # NH 70466:  S.S. Invincible in 1918.  She served as USS Invincible from October 1918 to April 1919

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

USS Invincible (ID # 3671), 1918-1919.
Previously, and later, S.S. Invincible (American Freighter, 1918).
Originally named War Rock. Later renamed Empire Porpoise, Chrysanthemum, Chryss and Athlit

S.S. Invincible, a 7898 gross ton (15,942 tons displacement) freighter, was built at Alameda, California, in 1918. Originally begun as the British steamer War Rock, she was taken over by the U.S. Emergency Fleet Corporation freighter prior to completion and renamed. The new ship was transferred to the Navy in October 1918 and placed in commission at that time as USS Invincible (ID # 3671). Her initial voyage, from late October to late November, took her through the Panama Canal to the U.S. East Coast. In December Invincible carried supplies to England, returning to the U.S. at the beginning of February 1919. A second trans-Atlantic round trip was followed by decommissioning, in mid-April of that year, and transfer to the U.S. Shipping Board.

Invincible remained under American registry until 1941, when she was obtained by the British Ministry of War Transport and renamed Empire Porpoise. Her name was changed to Chrysanthemum in 1946, Chryss in 1950 and Athlit in 1952. The old ship was scrapped in 1954.

This page features the only views we have concerning USS Invincible (ID # 3671) and the freighter Invincible (of 1918), War Rock, Empire Porpoise, Chrysanthemum, Chryss and Athlit.


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 70466

S.S. Invincible
(American Freighter, 1918)

Photographed in 1918, probably when first completed.
This ship served as USS Invincible (ID # 3671) from October 1918 to April 1919.
Note her pattern camouflage.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 485 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 100113

S.S. Invincible
(American Freighter, 1918)

Underway at about the time of her completion, circa October 1918.
She is painted in disruptive camouflage.
This ship served as USS Invincible (ID # 3671) between October 1918 and April 1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 36KB; 740 x 350 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102977

USS Invincible
(ID # 3671)

At Tilbury Docks, Thames River, England, 22 February 1919.
The original photograph is printed on postal card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105652

S.S. Chrysanthemum
(British Freighter, 1919)

Shown between 1946 and 1950.
This ship served as USS Invincible (ID # 3671) from October 1918 to April 1919.

Donation of Captain Stephen S. Roberts, USNR (Retired), 2008.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 54KB; 740 x 490 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 24 October 2005
Introductory text revised and new image added 10 May 2008