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Photo # NH 104599:  USS Kroonland arriving in a U.S. port, 1919

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

USS Kroonland (ID # 1541), 1918-1919.
Originally, and later, SS Kroonland (American Passenger Steamship, 1902)

Kroonland, a 12,241 gross ton passenger steamship, was built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Completed in 1902, she was operated commercially for the next fifteen years, mainly trading between New York and Antwerp, Belgium, until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. In 1915 she transited the Panama Canal to the Pacific, and in 1916 began service between the United States and Great Britain. On 20 May 1917, some weeks after the U.S. had entered the conflict, Kroonland was en route to Liverpool when she was damaged by a German submarine's torpedo. Following repairs, the ship returned to service. She was formally taken over by the U.S. Army in February 1918 and made one round-trip voyage to France between then and early April.

Transferred to the Navy later in that month, she was placed in commission as USS Kroonland (ID # 1541), a transport. Five more round-trip voyages, carrying American troops to France, were made before the 11 November 1918 Armistice ended the fighting. On 10 July 1918 she had an encounter with an enemy U-Boat, but emerged unhurt and may have damaged the submarine with gunfire. After the Armistice Kroonland began bringing veterans home from the former war zone, work that continued until September 1919. She was decommissioned at the beginning of October 1919 and returned to her owner. The steamer resumed commercial operations in 1920, initially between the U.S. and Europe and, after 1923, between the East and West Coasts by way of the Panama Canal. Kroonland was scrapped in 1927.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) and the civilian passenger liner Kroonland.

For additional images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) -- Shipboard Activities;
  • USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) -- Medical Activities, Facilities and Staff;
  • USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) -- Miscellaneous Shipboard Scenes;
  • USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) -- Group Photos of the Ship's Crew.


    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 100556

    Kroonland
    (American Passenger Steamer, 1902)

    Photographed prior to World War I, during and after which this liner served as USS Kroonland (ID # 1541). Commissioned on 25 April 1918, she was decommissioned and returned to her owner on 1 October 1919.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 36KB; 740 x 225 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 52091

    International Mercantile Marine Company's Chelsea Piers, North River, New York


    Five passenger steamers tied up at the Chelsea Piers, circa early 1917, before the United States entered World War I.
    SS Kroonland is at right, with her name painted on her side. She later became USS Kroonland (ID # 1541).
    Tug Victor J. Newton is in the center of the image, with her stern toward the camera.

    Courtesy of the International Mercantile Marine Company.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 67KB; 900 x 345 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 52092

    SS Kroonland
    (American Passenger Steamer, 1902)

    View of the ship's after portion, starboard side, in November 1917.
    She is painted in Mackay system low-visibility camouflage and has a gun mounted atop her after deckhouse.
    This ship served as USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) in 1918-1919.

    Courtesy of the International Mercantile Marine Company.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 52093

    USS Kroonland
    (ID # 1541)

    At the New York Navy Yard, 24 July 1918.
    Note her pattern camouflage.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 590 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105584

    USS Kroonland
    (ID # 1541)

    In a harbor, 1918, while painted in "dazzle" camouflage.

    Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in USS Wakiva (SP-160) during World War I.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 520 pixels

    Note:
    Though the original print was labeled USS America (ID # 3006), this ship is actually the considerably smaller Kroonland.

     
    Photo #: NH 105842

    USS Kroonland
    (ID # 1541)

    In port prior to the removal of her guns, circa early 1919.
    The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 51KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104599

    USS Kroonland
    (ID # 1541)

    Arriving in a U.S. port (probably New York) in 1919, with her decks crowded with troops returning from Europe.
    Photographed by E. Muller Jr., New York City. The reverse of the original print features a credit to the Army Transport Photograph Co., 204 Franklin St., New York.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 97KB; 900 x 625 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103137

    USS Kroonland
    (ID # 1541)

    Photographed in 1919.
    The original image was printed on postal card ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 465 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103136

    USS Kroonland
    (ID # 1541)

    In port in 1919, while employed bringing U.S. service personnel home from Europe.
    The original image was printed on postal card ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82951

    "The Original U.S. Troop Transports"


    Chart compiled 16 August 1919, showing the number of trans-Atlantic "turn arounds" and their average duration for thirty seven U.S. Navy troop transports employed during and immediately after World War I.

    Collection of the USS Pocahontas Reunion Association, 1974.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 157KB; 690 x 655 pixels

    Click here to rotate chart 90 degrees clockwise

     


    USS Kroonland, or the virtually identical USS Finland (ID # 4543), is visible in the background of the following photographs of another ship:

    Photo #: NH 105416

    S.S. Traffic
    (White Star Line Ferry Lighter)

    Coming alongside a transport to transfer troops for passage home to the United States, 1919. Location is probably Brest, France.
    This photo shows Traffic's superstructure, seen from off her the port quarter.
    The ship in the background is either USS Finland (ID # 4543) or USS Kroonland (ID # 1541).
    The original image is printed on postcard ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 475 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105415

    S.S. Traffic
    (White Star Line Ferry Lighter)

    Transferring troops to a transport for passage home to the United States, 1919. Location is probably Brest, France.
    This photo shows Traffic's superstructure, seen from off her the port quarter.
    The ship in the background is either USS Finland (ID # 4543) or USS Kroonland (ID # 1541).
    The original image is printed on postcard ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 475 pixels

     


    For additional images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) -- Shipboard Activities;
  • USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) -- Medical Activities, Facilities and Staff;
  • USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) -- Miscellaneous Shipboard Scenes;
  • USS Kroonland (ID # 1541) -- Group Photos of the Ship's Crew.


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


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 20 February 2004
    New image added 5 January 2009