Kenneth L. McNeal, a 331 gross ton "Menhaden Fisherman" type fishing vessel built in 1913 at Solomon's Island, Maryland, was purchased by the Navy in late May 1917. Placed in commission that August as USS Kenneth L. McNeal (SP-333), her name had already been officially shortened to McNeal, but the longer original name also continued in use.
Between late August and mid-September 1917, Kenneth L. McNeal crossed the Atlantic to Brest, France. She spent the rest of World War I, and a few months after the 11 November 1918 Armistice, working as a minesweeper along the Brittany coast. Damaged in February 1919, she remained in France until decommissioned in September and sold.
This page features all the views we have concerning USS Kenneth L. McNeal (SP-333).
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 89790 USS Kenneth L. McNeal (SP-333) At the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia on 19 August 1917. Two 110-foot submarine chasers (SC) are under construction in the left background, and the stern of the collier Cyclops is barely visible at right. Note Kenneth L. McNeal's camouflage scheme, which looks as if she has been painted to resemble a cloud formation. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 64 KB; 900 x 500 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 107330 USS Kenneth L. McNeal (SP-333) Off Lorient, France, circa 1918. She has the numeral "1" painted on her bow. At the time this photograph was taken, this ship's name had been formally shortened to McNeal. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2011. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 99 KB; 900 x 690 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 45084 Lorient, France View taken on 4 July 1918, showing U.S. Navy minesweepers in the right center, alongside the dock at Base 19. The French Navy machinist school is at left. The inboard ship is a hulk, presumably an old French warship employed as a harbor support vessel. Minesweepers tied up outboard of it include (from left to right): These former fishing vessels were originally known by their civilian names, respectively: Winfield S. Cahill, Otis W. Douglas, John B. Hinton, Warren J. Courtney and Kenneth L. McNeal. Though ordered shortened to surnames by a July 1917 Navy General Order, the longer names were often used afterwards. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 72 KB; 900 x 535 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 107331 USS Kenneth L. McNeal (SP-333) Ship's mascot dog posing atop a bollard, while she was at Lorient, France in 1918. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2011. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 63 KB; 670 x 925 pixels |
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NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 31 January 2011