USS Rijndam, a 23,650-ton (displacement) transport, was built at Belfast, Ireland, in 1901 as the 12,527 gross ton Holland-America Line passenger liner of the same name. In company with dozens of other Dutch flag merchant ships, Rijndam was seized by the U.S. Government in March 1918. She was turned over to the Navy and placed in commission at the beginning of May 1918. Between that month and the end of World War I in November 1918, the transport made several voyages from the United States to France, carrying service personnel for employment in the war against Germany. Following the Armistice Rijndam began to bring veterans home from France, completing seven trips for that purpose by August 1919. She was decommissioned and returned to her owner in October 1919. Her subsequent commercial career lasted until 1929, when she was scrapped.
This page features all the views we have concerning USS Rijndam (ID-2505) and the Dutch passenger liner Rijndam.
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 99328 S.S. Rijndam (Dutch Passenger Liner, 1901) Photograph of the ship's starboard stern area, taken prior to her World War I Naval service, possibly when she was inspected by the Third Naval District in the New York area on 23 March 1918. This ship was placed in commission as USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) on 1 May 1918 and returned to her owner on 22 October 1919. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 47KB; 470 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 329 USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) At the New York Navy Yard after being painted in "dazzle" type camouflage, 1918. The barge Arthur (probably a different barge than the U.S. Navy's Arthur, ID # 1730) is alongside her bow, and the barge Henrietta Long is second outboard on the starboard side of the transport at right. Note: The subject of this photo has long been identified as USS Rijnland (ID # 2718), which was a a freighter, not a transport. The ship seen closely resembles Rijndam, and is almost certainly her. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 505 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 83195 USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) Off New York City, circa 1919. Photographed by E. Muller, Jr. Collection of Captain Glenn Howell, 1974. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 465 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105900 USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) Underway in 1919. The original photograph is printed on post card ("AZO") stock, and was mailed by a Soldier at Camp Merritt, New Jersey, with a message dated 30 June 1919. See Photo # NH 105900-A-KN for a view of the card's reverse side. Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 445 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 106698 USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) In port, 1919. The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock. Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2009. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 67KB; 900 x 585 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 78284 USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) In port, circa 1919. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1973. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 460 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 107023 USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) Docking at St. Nazaire, France, 1919. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 57KB; 900 x 550 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105158 USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) Ship's Officers posed on board, 1919. Photographed by Taylors Studio, Norfolk, Virginia. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image size: 159KB; 1200 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 106287 USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) Homeward-bound troops boarding the ship at St. Nazaire, France, circa 1919. Photographed by "V.J.M.". Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 65KB; 425 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 106287-A USS Rijndam (ID # 2505) Homeward-bound troops boarding the ship at St. Nazaire, France, circa 1919. Photographed by "V.J.M.". Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 440 pixels |
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Note: Photo # NH 103354, a retouched photograph of USS President Lincoln just after she was torpedoed on 31 May 1918, was taken by USS Rijndam's radio operator.
NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 22 May 2004
New image added 12 June 2010