ww1

The American destroyer USS Ward (DD-139) of 1918, led a very eventful life that would end in some unique irony. Artist Tom Freeman’s fine painting seen here, shows the Ward in action on 7 December, 1941, as she fires the first American shots of the Second World War. The ship was built at a record p

Aquitania begins a departure from Southampton in August, 1919, carrying a full load of US troops bound for New York. The Admiralty had returned the ship to Cunard’s control in June of that year, with the agreement that any troops needing repatriation would receive priority. The Company therefore o

The Mauretania is shown under escort in the Western Approaches as she heads for the French Port of Brest in 1918. Burnell Poole’s painting gives an accurate and detailed view of the ship as she appeared while camouflaged for transport duty during World War 1. Even in moderate swells, the military

This is a shot of the Aquitania at Mudros Harbor while she was in service as a military troopship during the early days of the Gallipoli Campaign, in the summer of 1915. Its quality leaves a lot to be desired, but I wanted to post it because shots of the ship during this period are very rare. It w

Aquitania returns Canadian Troops to Halifax, Nova Scotia in October 1919. This picture shows the detail of the liners rivet work.

This is a panoramic photograph taken in 1919 which shows a rare view of the Leviathan and Imperator tied up together while both liners were serving as repatriation ships for US troops. Although the photo says New York, NY, the picture was actually taken at a pier in Hoboken NJ.

Aquitania completes her first repatriation voyage with Canadian Troops on January 18th, 1919. This is one of the first pictures to show porthole splinter shields installed over the large windows of the lower navigation bridge. The camouflage paint, when first applied in November, 1917 extended rig

The venerable liner George Washington, of 1909, arrives under tow, at the scrappers pier in Curtis Bay, near Baltimore, in February, 1951. The Big George, as she was known, had been destroyed by a fire at the Hawkins Pier, also in Baltimore, in January, 1951. Like her long time consort, America, t

This may be the only view of the Aquitania showing the ship leaving Liverpool after her conversion to an AMC in August, 1914. Gun mounts can be seen on both the bow and stern of the commissioned liner as she heads down the Mersey to begin her first patrol. The crew was given the responsibility of

This wartime picture of the Leviathan confused me a bit, but I believe it shows the ship during repatriation service in 1919. The ship’s returning a full load of US troops to Hoboken NJ, and it appears that the ship has been turned around in the river, using the current to facilitate the ships dock

Aquitania is seen anchored in the port of Brest France, in February, 1919. The job of repainting the ship in her peacetime colors has already begun on her superstructure and funnels, but it would be a few more months before she got into dry dock to have the job completed.

America’s largest troopship, the Leviathan, is seen anchored to a buoy in the French port of Brest, in 1918.

Olympic is seen from the air in her dazzle paint during the Great War.

This rare view of the Olympic appears to have been taken from the same location as the previous Mauretania photo, judging by the stone wall in the foreground. The image comes from an Ebay scan of a picture postcard. Its price has already reached $160.00 dollars, with 4 days to go on the auction.

This view of the Mauretania in her dazzle paint scheme is more commonly seen in a cropped version, showing just the ship. I can’t be sure, but I think this was taken at the port of Brest, in France, while she was carrying American troops.

Hundreds of American troops from World War I were photographed crowding the after decks of the Aquitania as they returned to New York, on March 31, 1919. They were part of a contingent of 6000 aboard the ship at the time. A band, made up of some of the troops onboard, is seen playing on the right.

In a rare port side view, taken in January, 1919, the camouflaged Aquitania is seen steaming on the Atlantic toward Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a load of returning Canadian troops.

Painted dull gray overall, Aquitania delivers her first load of British Troops to Mudros Harbor near Greece, in May, 1915. Her lifeboats remain in their peacetime white colors, and they were swung out over her sides during this first of many trooping voyages she would perform during her long life.

After making only three round voyages to New York, Aquitania is seen in this very rare image, heading down the river Mersey to begin her military career as an AMC. The ships crew would paint the liners upper works and stacks a dark gray while she was at sea. Fortunately, it will be a short lived ca