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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 60294:  USS Noma, probably in French waters, circa 1917-1918

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

USS Noma (SP-131), 1917-1919.
Originally Steam Yacht Noma (1902)

USS Noma, a 1250-ton (displacement) patrol vessel, was built in 1902 by the Burlee Dry Dock Company of Staten Island, New York, as the 763 gross ton steam yacht of the same name. Her owner, Vincent Astor of New York City, loaned her to the Navy in May 1917 for use during the First World War. Placed in commission at that time, Noma soon crossed the Atlantic to Brest, France, to begin nearly two years of service in European and Mediterranean waters. Her combat career began in July when she attacked a German U-boat. During the rest of 1917 and most of 1918 Noma escorted convoys and performed patrol duties off western France, taking part in several engagements with enemy submarines. After a brief assignment at Plymouth, England, following the November 1918 Armistice, the converted yacht was sent to Constantinople, Turkey. Between February and May 1919 she supported the American Relief Commission during its operations in the Black Sea. Noma left for home later in May. She was decommissioned in mid-July 1919 and returned to her owner.

This page features all the views we have concerning the steam yacht Noma of 1902 and USS Noma (SP-131).


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 89412

Noma
(American Steam Yacht, 1898)

At anchor, prior to her World War I era Naval service.
She was USS Noma (SP-131) in 1917-1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 50KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 89411

Noma
(American Steam Yacht, 1898)

At anchor, prior to her World War I era Naval service.
She was USS Noma (SP-131) in 1917-1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 445 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 69814

Noma
(American Steam Yacht, 1898)

Drydocked at the Union Iron Works shipyard, San Francisco, California, in 1915.
This yacht served as USS Noma (SP-131) in 1917-1919.
Note her figurehead.

Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1969.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 60294

USS Noma
(SP-131)

Photographed circa 1917-1918, probably in French waters, with the sails of another vessel visible in the background, between her smokestacks.
She was commanded at the time by Lieutenant Commander Lamar R. Leahy, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 525 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 44870

USS Noma
(SP-131)

Off the Sultan's palace, Constantinople, Turkey, circa February-May 1919.
Photographed by Zimmer.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 565 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 44871

USS Noma
(SP-131)

Artwork by J.W. Burbank, depicting the ship underway.
The star on her forward smokestack represents a German U-Boat claimed sunk during World War I.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 179KB; 740 x 570 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 44872

USS Noma
(SP-131)

View on deck, showing one of the ship's 3"/50 guns in action during operations off the coast of France, circa 1917-1918.

Courtesy of Captain Lamar R. Leahy, USN, 1937. He was Noma's Commanding Officer during World War I.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 475 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 44874

USS Noma
(SP-131)

A lookout (probably spotting the fall of shot) and the crew of one of the ship's 3"/50 guns at work during an anti-submarine patrol, circa 1917-1918.

Courtesy of Captain Lamar R. Leahy, USN, 1937. He was Noma's Commanding Officer during World War I.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 44875

USS Noma
(SP-131)

Taking heavy rolls during World War I patrol duty, circa 1917-1918.
View looks aft from the ship's starboard bridge wing.

Courtesy of Captain Lamar R. Leahy, USN, 1937. He was Noma's Commanding Officer during World War I.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 79KB; 445 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 44876

USS Noma
(SP-131)

Making heavy rolls during World War I patrol duty, circa 1917-1918.
Note helmsman at work and depth charges mounted on the ship's stern.

Courtesy of Captain Lamar R. Leahy, USN, 1937. He was Noma's Commanding Officer during World War I.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 44873

USS Noma
(SP-131)

Ship's helmsman at work while the ship was making heavy rolls during operations at sea, circa 1917-1918.

Courtesy of Captain Lamar R. Leahy, USN, 1937. He was Noma's Commanding Officer during World War I.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 480 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 61071

HMS Dunraven
(British Q-Ship)

Receives assistance from the British destroyer Attack, following her action with the German submarine UC-71 off Ushant on 8 August 1917. Despite efforts to tow her to port, the badly damaged Dunraven foundered on 10 August.
Photographed from USS Noma (SP-131).

Courtesy of Captain Lamar R. Leahy, USN, 1937. He was Noma's Commanding Officer during World War I.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 51KB; 740 x 450 pixels

 


In addition to the views reference above, the National Archives appears to hold at least one other photograph of USS Noma (SP-131). The following listing describes this image:

The image listed below is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


  • Photo #: 80-G-1034890
    USS Noma in harbor, circa 1917-1919.
    Starboard bow surface view.


    Reproductions of this image should be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system for pictures not held by the Naval Historical Center.

    The image listed above is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


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


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    Page made 30 April 2005