World War One Naval Activities

Historic images showcasing naval activities during WWI, including ship arrivals, wrecks, and troop movements, highlighting maritime operations and military involvement.

Derrick barge conducting salvage operation on the U.S.S. Sixola on the north side of Pier No. 9, Hoboken, NJ. The Sixola, carrying a valuable beef cargo bound for France, caught fire on February 23, 1919, while docked. Photograph taken by CPL. L. Thomas, S.C. on July 3, 1919.

S.S. George Washington arriving at New York Bay with Presidential party on board, taken during World War One. This photograph, numbered 60,649, was captured by a photographer and received on July 8th, 1919. The image was issued with the symbol A and includes additional notes with the description and reference number 9960649.

Image 16582 depicts a wrecked ship. The photograph was taken in 1919 and is part of the Photographs of American Military Activities during World War One collection. The photographer responsible for capturing the image is RECO. The image bears the emblem "EU" and includes the additional note "16582."

Coast Guard Cutter Sinks Sub. Coast Guard Cutter sinks sub. Coast Guardsmen from the cutter SPENCER picking up survivors from the Nazi U-Boat just before it made its final dive. Meanwhile the convoy steamed on.

This photograph shows a destroyer as part of the convoy to the U.S.S. George Washington, carrying the Peace Commission to Paris, France. The destroyer is numbered 50544. The photograph was received in 1919, and the description mentions the issued symbol EU.

Officers and men of the 165th Infantry return from overseas on the SS Harrisburg, docking at Hoboken. The Harrisburg and ferryboat "Correction" were chosen by the Mayor's Committee of Welcome to transport the "gold star" mothers of the 69th Infantry. Photo taken by Lt. Lyon on April 25, 1919.

US Navy personnel working on a camouflage measure known as SUNDER 43,694 during World War One. The photograph is from the Navy Department's Peddignal Corps and the activities shown were part of the efforts to disguise naval equipment.

American military personnel unloading supplies from a ship in Porto Rico during World War One. The ship is docked at a harbor, and crates can be seen on the deck. Several soldiers are seen assisting with the unloading process.

Derrick barge conducting salvage operation on the U.S.S. Sixola on the north side of Pier No. 9, Hoboken, NJ. The Sixola, carrying a valuable beef cargo bound for France, caught fire on February 23, 1919, while docked. Photograph taken by CPL. L. Thomas, S.C. on July 3, 1919.

Sunburst Over The Convoy. This image depicts a convoy of ships passing through a gorgeous sunburst, the fantail of a Coast Guard-manned invasion transport is heading to Iwo Jima.

USS "Tide" Sinks. "(FRANCE) 14/7/44Just released by censors this picture of the USS Tide, which steamed across English Channel to breach Normandy beaches, dies in the water off France. Two ship stand by to pick up survivors, which shortly after photo was taken the USS TIDE dove to the bottom, (OFF COAST GUARD FOTO) Sig Corps Radio Telephoto from London. #1399" See also 26-G-2634, Box 38.

"Traffic Cop" in Salerno Bay. This image depicts a PC control boat directing Coast Guard-manned landing craft during the invasion of Salerno, painted by Coast Guard Combat Artist William Goadby Lawrence.

Caption: "Cuban gunboat marking the spot where the battleship Maine was sunk in 1898 in Havana Harbor, Cuba. This photograph was taken on February 24, 1919, by photographer Serct, McCarrigle. Image source: Sumber Rico. Note: referenced as Subject 39947 in the collection"

Battle Smoke Clouds the "Rising Sun". Over the beaches of Saipan hangs the black smoke of battle as American invasion craft, many of them Coast Guard-manned, unload the forces that in three weeks were to drive back the stubborn Japs into a small corner on the northern tip of this Marianas Island.

Destroyer Escort Provisions Norse Tanker at Sea. A Coast Guard-manned destroyer escort, flagship for a division in a North Atlantic convoy, maneuvers close to a Norwegian tanker which had signalled that she was short of provisions. With the sea too heavy to deliver food by whaleboat, Coast Guardsman John Recuk, chief gunner's mate, of Astoria, Long Island, fires a Lyle line across the stern of a tanker.

Coast Guard Invaders. This image depicts a Coast Guard-manned LCI during training.

Military exercise..

Invaders Snatched from Death by Coast Guard. Lines heaved from a Coast Guard landing barge are grasped by survivors of a small vessel which collided with a Nazi mine close by the shores of the French Invasion Coast. Many of the crew were unconscious when rescued, being held safely afloat by their kapok life jackets. The rescue of these two survivors was made by a Coast Guard LCVP running to the beach with a load of Army Troops from a Coast Guard assault transport. Duplicate of 26-G-06-12-44(1), box 38.

Soldiers on a returning transport cheer as they pass the Mayflower in the North River. The photograph was taken on December 26, 1918, by photographer Lt. Craig. It was later issued under the number 111-SC-31796. The image was captured by M.I.D. oens on December 28, 1918.

A view of American Docks in Bassens, Bordeaux, France. The image shows dock number 10 in the foreground. It was taken on October 2, 1918, by Pvt. L.H. McLaughlin and its purpose is strictly official use, not for publication. Image number 24917 in the collection.

A DE Takes One on the Nose. Pushing through stormy seas in the North Atlantic, a Coast Guard-manned Destroyer Escort is slapped on the bow by a towering wave. Neptune slams his punches at these sturdy DE's, as they convoy merchant ships and transports carrying reinforcements and supplies for the Allied forces in the Battle of Germany.

Coast Guard Match Box Fleet. The Doughty fleet of Coast Guard 83-footers ply the rough water of the English channel off the coast of France. This Coast Guard rescue flotilla performed valiant service, saving almost 1500 men from the waters on D-Day and the succeeding days.

Photograph of the sinking of the Japanese steamship "Hitachi Mam." This image was obtained by the U.S. Military Attaché in Copenhagen and provided to the Hidden Branch by the Military Intelligence Division. The photo is labeled with the reference M.I.D. file number 2123-13. Issued for official use only. Notes: 031671.

The U.S.S. CAPT. CHAS. W. ROWELL undergoing maintenance on a dry dock in New York harbor. The photograph was taken on February 19, 1921 by the Signal Corps. The image shows the ship's distinctive symbol and is labeled with the ID number 61441. This historical photograph captures a moment of American military activities during World War One.

Coast Guard Planes, Cutters Shield Convoys. This image depicts Coast Guard cutters and planes shielding a convoy.

Emergency Operation On Coast Guard-Manned LST Provides Pre-invasion Drama on Way to Iwo Jima.. This image depicts a medical officer from a Coast Guard LST being ferried by a buoy to another vessel to examine a Navy officer stricken with appendicitis.

AO-123 , Ships, Naval Vessels, Boats, Naval History, Navy

Pvt. L.H. McLaughlin captured this photograph on October 2, 1918, from a moving boat in the river at Bordeaux, France. The image shows Dock #10 at 6:00 p.m., Bassens Docks, Base Sec. #2. This photograph holds official use only and must not be published or reproduced without proper authorization. Notes indicate the reference number as 24915.

All's Well Aloft. This image depicts a Coast Guard assault transport with Allied fighter planes overhead.

Photograph of American Ships and Landing Craft Approaching Saipan. A Jap's-Eye-View at Saipan. This is the disconcerting sight which met the eyes of Japanese defenders of Saipan when they looked seaward on that D-Day morning three weeks ago. As far as the eye can see are American ships and landing craft of many types, each loaded with battle-ready troops and moving shoreward. This remarkable picture was made by a Coast Guard combat photographer from a Coast Guard-manned landing boat.

The Fighting Shifts To The Pacific. This image depicts Hence tankers hauling supplies to Europe.

Protect Merchant Ship. This image depicts "Sea Birds" on patrol.

Ahead Lies Luzon. Ahead Lies Luzon. A line of Coast Guard-manned landing barges, sweeping through the water of Lingayen Gulf from Coast Guard-manned invasion transports standing off shore, carries the first wave of invaders to the beaches of Luzon. The troops went in after a terrific naval bombardment of Jap shore positions on Jan. 9, to set up the current crushing advance upon Manila.

Hell Breaks Loose Overhead as Philippine Liberators Strike. U.S. Coast Guard-manned landing barges, loaded with troops, sweep toward the beaches of Leyte Island at H-Hour as American and Japanese planes duel to death overhead. Here, the troops watch the drama being written in the skies as they approach the hellfire on the shore.

American soldiers disembark from the U.S.S. Warrinton in Brest, Finistere, France during World War I. Lieutenant A. J. Sutton of the Signal Corps captured this image on June 1, 1918. The soldiers are seen exiting the ship, preparing for their military activities in the war.

This photograph shows a general view of American docks on the Gironde River in Bassens, Gironde, France. The photo was taken on December 25, 1918. The image was taken by photographer F.T. Morris and is part of Subject 52924. The photo was received on April 8, 1919, and is labeled as 3483-F9.

U.S. Army tug undergoing repairs in drydock. The photo was taken by the Signal Corps. The symbol A is visible in the image. The description notes that it was taken as part of the U.S. Army's activities during World War One.

Coast Guard Match Box Fleet. The doughty fleet of Coast Guard 83-footers ply the rough waters of the English Channel off the coast of France. This Coast Guard rescue flotilla performed valiant service, saving almost 1500 men from the water on D-Day and the succeeding days.

American soldiers loading supplies onto a transport vehicle in France during World War I. This photograph was taken by the Signal Corps and is numbered 50,036. The soldiers are executing the loading process as instructed and following the issued guidelines represented by the symbol B. The location of this activity is in France.

Pacific-Iwo Jima. This image depicts Coast Guardsmen moving supplies on Iwo Jima.

Tankers Move East. American tankers are vigilantly shielded by U.S. Coast Guard fighting craft as they carry their cargoes of oil and gasoline over the North Atlantic to the Allied fighting fronts. Here, a tanker gun watch reports by telephone to the bridge as the procession of supply ships moves through waters once infested by enemy submarines.

The Chain Starts to Run. How to Plant a Mooring Buoy, in a series of difficult lessons by Coast Guard Buoy Tender, LAUREL. The necessary number of fathoms of chain have been carefully faked down on deck, ready to run out freely at the proper moment. Here we see it starting to go over the side. This is when the men stand clear, for nothing could be more dangerous to life and limb than this linked fury when momentum takes over. One end of the chain leads up through the buoy, held fast by the stopper seen in the buoy's top center. Above the stopper is the ring, to which the ships will moor in due course. Note: These scenes of Coast Guard action are laid in a Greenland Fjord.

Building a Runway for Supplies to Cape Sansapor. The beach at Cape Sansapor, Dutch New Guinea, was not made to order for the American invaders, so troops turned to build a ramp out to the yawning bow doors of a Coast Guard-manned LST. Bulldozer, foreground, was put to good use in constructing the "dock." Coast Guard gunners are ready to meet any interference from Jap planes, while a PBY swoops low in its reconnaissance assignment. American invaders wrested Cape Sansapor from Jap defenders and thereby gained an important air base on the western end of New Guinea.

Greenland Patrol Heroes.

""Fill 'Er Up"". This image depicts a Coast Guard combat cutter standing by, ready to ward off any intruders. Another fighting ship takes on a load of fuel from a British tanker somewhere in the Atlantic.

Photograph of Whalers, 11th Naval District. This photograph was taken by Boatswain's Mate Second Class James C. Watson, ex-newspaper photographer of 15 years experience.

A photograph taken by Sgt. G. Ryden on Feb. 26, 1919, at Bassens Docks, Gironde, France. The image shows an Observation Tower overlooking the docks. It was used as a vantage point for military operations during World War One. The photo captures the 188UED Mc SURGER in the background.

American Fliers Rescued from English Channel. This image depicts artwork of the Coast Guard cutter No. 16 as it rescues Allied personnel, painted by Coast Guardsman Russell S. Dickerson.

Marines from the 3rd Marine Division conduct an amphibious landing at Chu Lai, Vietnam in May 1965. The beachhead, located about 50 miles southeast of Danang, served as a strategic base for the American military during the Vietnam War. This Defense Department photo captured the operations during that time.

Rehearsal for Invasion. This image depicts Coast Guard-manned landing barges during training off the Atlantic coast.

Coast Guard Match Box Fleet. The doughty fleet of Coast Guard 83-footers ply the rough waters of the English Channel off the coast of France. This Coast Guard rescue flotilla performed valiant service, saving almost 1500 men from the water on D-Day and the succeeding days.

Invasion: Last Moments of the Leedstown. This image depicts artwork of a ship under aerial attack. The last moments of the Navy transport Leedstown. Artwork by Hunter Wood.

Group photo, Anonymous, 1940 - 1943 photograph Group photo of a number of German sailors on the deck of a ship. Part of the photo album about the Kriegsmarine 1940-1943. Netherlands (possibly) photographic support gelatin silver print the company, the unit, the troop ~ military service. sailor Netherlands

U.S. Army transport Summer breaking in two after running aground on a shoal near Barnegat, New Jersey. This incident occurred in May 1918 and is documented in Photographs of American Military Activities during World War One, under the May-1918 RECO Inter. Film Ser. (c) collection. Image number 34060.

Photo collection First World War. Journalists visit the Grand Fleet. On Board H.S. "Revenge." 1914-1918}

Allied Invasion Power Strikes at Southern France. Allied invasion forces struck Europe again today, smashing to successful beachheads in Southern France. Here, units of the attacking amphibious force are shown from the deck of a Coast Guard-manned assault transport taking part in the invasion.

Photograph of Cuban Patrol Boat at Battle Stations Off Anguilla Island. Communist Cuban Naval PT boat at battle stations off Anguilla Island.

Ships on the Dew Line. The U.S. Coast Guard's heavy duty icebreaker Northwind leads the way east through the ice packed Bering Sea for Navy Pacific Task Force ships carrying cargo and personnel destined for "Dew Line" (Distant Early Warning) radar stations in the Arctic. This photograph was taken in August 1955, during the Military Sea Transportation Service's sea lift operations supporting construction of the "Dew Line" stations. It illustrates one of the duties this icebreaker will perform on the 1956 summer "Dew Line" stations. The Northwind will leave Seattle on July 16 to join a Navy Pacific Task Force Group for the journey to the Arctic.

Desert of Death. The Antarctic. The World of Ice. Seldom indeed has the eye of man looked at this bleak desert of ice. This is a tiny portion of the limitless icepack which stands guard around the Antarctic continent. The Coast Guard's icebreaker NORTHWIND smashes its way into the virgin ice, making a passage for the thin-hulled vessels which made up the central group of the Byrd Expedition to the Antarctic.

The U.S.S. Kansas, photographed in the 1910s during World War I. This image is labeled as 111-SC-3979 and was taken on the U.S.S. Kansas. The photograph was received by the laboratory on February 22, 1918, and is marked for official use only. The photographer's name is listed as Ree'd.

Pacific Patrol. This image depicts a sunset on the Pacific. Sunset on the Pacific calls for extra vigilance as Coast Guardsmen hunt for enemy submarine activity.

Raking the Raider: 83 Footer Attacking Sub. This image depicts artwork of an 83 foot U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat taking on a Nazi U-boat. Artwork by Hunter Wood.

Soldiers unloading supplies from the U.S. ship M11 at Rivalo Cove in New Guinea during World War One. This photograph was obtained by the British from an American military attaché in Copenhagen. It was part of a larger collection used for official purposes only.

Coast Guardsman Directs Landing Boats In Invasion. Having stormed the beach with forces from a Coast Guard-manned assault transport which made successful invasion of Aitape Island in Hollandia area of Dutch New Guinea, Coast Guardsman John C. Marco, boatswain's mate first class, instantly takes up his vifil of directing Coast Guard landing boats in with supplies. Marco lives at 482 West Bluff Street, Marseille, Illinois.

Convoy Moves East. This image depicts Coast Guard combat cutters sailing through the Atlantic.

Completely equipped observation telescope from the Design Section of the Ordinance Department in Vincennes, Seine, France. This telescope is used in anti-aircraft gunnery to locate enemy planes and provide accurate range information to gun sighters. Photograph taken during World War One by CPL. A. L. LUBATTY.

The USS Annapolis (PG-10) during a military operation in World War One. The ship can be seen sailing through rough waters, with crew members on deck. The image captures the seriousness and intensity of military activities during this time.

Coast Guard Cutter Sinks Sub. This image depicts artwork of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Spencer bearing down on the Nazi U-Boat blown to the surface by the Spencer's depth charge. Artwork by Hunter Wood.

Six-Wheeler Goes Overside. U.S. Coast Guardsmen swing an Army truck over side as their combat transport lies off a bridgehead established by the American at Paesternum, just south of Salerno. Coast Guardsmen waiting in a landing barge alongside the transport will take the truck ashore.

Breakwater of Sunken Ships Shielded Landings on Normandy in Violent Storm. Strategic sinking of 23 freighters, bow to stern, on D-Day Plus One and Two, created a breakwater behind which Allied invasion craft unloaded troops and supplies during a furious storm that ripped the Normandy beaches. Six Coast Guard Officers, all experts in dealing with treacherous surf currents, participated in the supervision of the sinkings and were commended for their efficient accomplishment of the task. Here, a mountainous wave beats against one of the sunken vessels, as landing operations proceed.

Collection 558 pH. C. Visser. Photo album fisherman: Third karakorum expedition, 1929-1930. Album leaf with four photos. Top left and bottom left: Expedition members in the Kara Tagh valley at the third more; At the top right: the Chumit Tang plain passed camp 61; At the bottom right: the Kara Tagh mountains by camp 61. September 11, 1929. India, Karakorum, Pakistan

Collection of World War I Photographs, 1914-1918 that depict the military activities of British and other nation's armed forces and personnel during World War I.

Last Plunge of A Nazi Raider. U.S. Coast Guardsmen aboard a destroyer escort watch the fatal plunge of a German submarine which was trapped in the Atlantic by American DEs and depth-charged to the bottom. The DEs were Coast Guard and Navy-manned. The Coast Guard ships hauled in 12 German seamen, floundering in the sea, after their undersea vessel had "tailed up" and vanished forever.

Invasion of Southern France. This image depicts artwork of an American amphibious tank landing in southern France, painted by Coast Guard Combat Artist Tore Asplund.

Photograph of the U.S.S. Oregon in New York City during World War One. The image was taken on February 12, 1918, by an unidentified photographer from the C. P. I. Laboratory. This photograph is classified as "For official use only" and is a part of the collection of American military activities during the war.

Coast Guard Firemen. This image depicts Coast Guard firemen putting out a fire at the Anacostia railroad bridge in Washington D.C.

Coast Guard Plane Rescues Navy Flier in Sea Off Florida. This image depicts crashed Navy Ensign C.H. Carleston after being rescued by a Coast Guard flying boat.

This photograph shows the U.S.S. Birmingham, a type of ship called A.U., during World War One. It was taken in April 1918 by a photographer from the Navy Department. The image is labeled with the code 111-SC-8494 SURECT 1494 and a note that says "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY."

Coast Guard Cutter Looking for a Fight. Doughty warrior of the North Atlantic, a U.S. Coast Guard combat cutter steams through the North Atlantic looking for a scrap. These sturdy Coast Guard fighting ships have played a leading role in making Allied shipping lanes safe for the armadas of supply craft.

Coal barges and the passers whose bodies are as black as night with coal dust Malta presents a white stone hill of buildings and forts with not an inch of shade from the hot eastern sun.. Frank and Frances Carpenter Collection , Barges,Malta,1920-1930, Coal,Malta,1920-1930, Laborers,Malta,1920-1930, Harbors,Malta,1920-1930, Forts & fortifications,Malta,1920-1930.

Landing Craft Run Minefield at Salerno. This image depicts a Coast Guard-manned LCVP avoiding mines during the invasion of Salerno, painted by Coast Guard Combat Artist William Goadby Lawrence.

Collection of World War I Photographs, 1914-1918 that depict the military activities of British and other nation's armed forces and personnel during World War I.

Coast Guard Searches Wreckage of Ill-fated Airliner. This image depicts Coast Guard vessels searching the wreckage of Linea Aeropostal Venezolana Flight 253 which caught fire and crashed in the Atlantic Ocean.

U.S.S. Oklahoma during builder's trials, February 12, 1918. This photograph, with identification number 111-SC-2990, depicts the testing of the ship before it was put into service. The image was taken on the U.S.S. Oklahoma, with the copyright owned by C.P.L. 🔻2990. Laboratory notes indicate a speed of 603 knots. This information is for official use only.

Sub-Busters On Patrol. This image depicts a Coast Guard officer and his lookout at the controls, they are on anti-submarine patrol as Navy Blimp soars overhead.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Men clearing snow from the flight deck on board HMS VICTORIOUS after a heavy snow storm whilst the aircraft carrier was helping to safeguard the convoy lanes to Russia. A KING GEORGE V battleship can be seen in the background.

Fylgia (depicted name).Fylgia (depicted name)

Onto Bigger Things. This image depicts four airmen who have been stranded as part of a test of parachuting lifeboats.

U.S. engineers construct a pontoon bridge across the Meuse River in the captured St. Mihiel Salient, during World War I. This bridge assisted American troops in advancing into the salient. The photograph was taken on October 15, 1918, and approved by the A.E.F. censor on October 5, 1918.

Storm of Battle Leaves Wreckage on Iwo's Beach. This image depicts landing craft unloading supplies on the beaches of embattled Iwo Jima among the wreckage left by the furious fighting.

Out of the Storm -- Rescue!. This image depicts artwork of sailors weakly answering the welcome hail of a rescuing ship after suffering from fatigue and exposure. Artwork by Hunter Wood.

Broken Boom At Oran. This image depicts an oil painting of the Cutter Sebago while on North Atlantic Patrol Duty. The Sebago was later turned over to the British Navy and renamed H. M. S. Walney. Painted by Hunter Wood.

It's Not A Secret Any More. For the first time, LST's (Landing Ships, Tanks) are shown here with their huge, swinging bow doors wide open. After Sicily, Italy and the Aleutians, these yawning doors are no longer a surprise to the Axis. A Coast Guard Officer in command of one of the giant landing craft took this picture, showing soldiers and Coast Guardsmen during unloading operations in the Aleutians.

The American Invaders Push Ever Westward. A Coast Guard combat photographer catches American troops as they dash down the ramps of an LCI and across the beach during the invasion of Sarmi, Dutch New Guinea, on May 17. Jap snipers and machinegunners, hiding in the jungle that creeps close to the beach, put up stiff resistance against the attackers, but the beachhead was secure in a matter of hours.

Photograph of Stretchers Covering the Docks of a Coast Guard LCT (Landing Craft Tank). Beachheads Come High. Row and row of stretchers cover the docks of a Coast Guard LCT (Landing Craft Tank) bringing out wounded invaders from the flaming soil of France. These American and British soldiers fell somewhere between the invasion beach and Cherbourg as Nazi defenders sought a high price in casualties for every yard they yielded. The wounded are being transferred to a Coast Guard assault transport which will carry the back to England for hospitalization.

Fearless USCG Photographer Elmo Jones shooting from the crane on USCGC EASTWIND.

Photograph of the USS Zircon (PY-16)"USS Zircon (PY 16).".

H.M.S. Albion firing salute, Yokohama Harbor, Japan , Warships

Photograph of Whalers, 11th Naval District. This photograph was taken by Boatswain's Mate Second Class James C. Watson, ex-newspaper photographer of 15 years experience.

Military exercise..

Colored photographs. Bombing Matanzac.

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