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

Photo # NH 101208:  USS Nebraska in camouflage, circa 1918

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

USS Nebraska (Battleship # 14, later BB-14), 1907-1923

USS Nebraska, a 14,948-ton Virginia class battleship, was built at Seattle, Washington, the last U.S. Navy battleship to be built by a West Coast shipyard for over a decade. Commissioned in July 1907, she performed her initial service in the eastern Pacific and joined the Atlantic Fleet's battle force in May 1908 upon its arrival in California waters after its long voyage around South America. Nebraska accompanied this "Great White Fleet" on the remainder of its World cruise, visiting ports in Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Japan and Ceylon before passing through the Suez Canal and transiting the Mediterranean Sea en route back to the United States.

After her arrival on the U.S. East Coast in February 1909, Nebraska was refitted, receiving a new "cage" foremast and other alterations. A second "cage" mast was installed in 1910. The battleship took a regular part in Atlantic Fleet activities over the next seven years, among them operations off Mexico in 1914 and 1916. When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Nebraska began active wartime service. Though she mainly performed training duty, she also cruised extensively in the conflict's last half-year. During May-July 1918, she made a voyage to South America to return the body of Uruguay's late Ambassador to his homeland. From September to November 1918, Nebraska helped to escort convoys bound across the Atlantic to the Europe.

In late December 1918, with peace restored, Nebraska began a troop transport assignment, part of the great effort to bring U.S. servicemen home from France. This important work ended in June 1919, and the ship transited the Panama Canal to join the Pacific Fleet shortly thereafter. She remained in the Pacific until decommissioned in early July 1920, receiving the hull number BB-14 at about that time. USS Nebraska was sold for scrapping in November 1923.

This page features selected views concerning USS Nebraska (Battleship # 14, later BB-14).


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 63644

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

Underway at high speed during her speed trials, prior to completion, circa 1906-07. Note that the eight-inch guns have not yet been installed in her forward turret.
Halftone reproduction of a photograph.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 440 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 63137

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

Photographed in 1908, probably in a U.S. West Coast harbor.
Note ship's name in large letters mounted on her bridge face.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 460 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 101508

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

Photographed by Brown & Shaffer in 1909, soon after she had been fitted with a "cage" foremast.

Collection of Chief Quartermaster John Harold.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 450 pixels

 
Photo #: 19-N-3-8-21

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

Underway off New York City, 22 July 1910, shortly after she had received her "cage" mainmast.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 605 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 19-N-61-7-21

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

In the Hudson River, off New York City, 3 October 1911.
The Palisade Amusement Park is in the right distance.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 380 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: NH 101208

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

Wearing an experimental camouflage scheme, circa 1918.

Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN (Retired), 1983.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 465 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 50066

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

At Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, circa June-July 1918.
Note her elaborate camouflage scheme.

Courtesy of Lieutenant Commander Ellis M. Zacharias, USN, 1931.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 505 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 73977

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

At Boston, Massachusetts, 19 July 1919.
USS New Jersey (Battleship # 16) is on the opposite side of the pier, with superstructure and forward gun turret visible.
Taken by Crosby, Naval Photographer, Boston.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 370 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 77183

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

View from the foremast head, looking toward the bow, while the ship was in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on 22 February 1911. She is dressed with flags in honor of George Washington's birthday.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1973.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 96KB; 465 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45672

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

Ship's baseball team, 1912.

Donation of Commander Ray H. Wakeman, USN (Retired), 1955. He was the team's coach.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 164KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45673

USS Nebraska
(Battleship # 14)

Ship's football team, 1912.
Note inscription on football in lower center, identifying the team as that year's champions of the Third Division (Atlantic Fleet).
Photographed by E.A. Hodge, Boston, Massachusetts.

Donation of Commander Ray H. Wakeman, USN (Retired), 1955. He was the team's coach.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 580 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 15 September 2001
Link added 5 May 2007