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Identification Numbered Ships Photo Archive

USS Minnesotan (ID 4545)



Navy call sign (1918):
George - Boy - King - Nan


Call sign (1919):
Nan - Able - Xray - Pup



Civilian call sign (1919):
Love - Cast - Nan - Vice

ex-USAT Minnesotan


Minnesotan served both the U. S. Army and Navy
Freighter:

  • Built in 1912 by the Maryland Steel Co., Sparrows Point, MD
  • Launched 8 June 1912
  • Sponsored by Miss Lubelle Shepard
  • Completed in September 1912
  • Acquired by the Army 11 September 1917 and named USAT Minnesotan
  • Acquired by the Navy 23 August 1918 and commissioned USS Minnesotan (ID 4545) the same day at Norfolk, VA
  • Decommissioned 21 August 1919 and transferred to the United States Shipping Board for return to her owners
  • Sold in July 1949 to the Italian Societa per Azioni and renamed Maria Luisa R.
  • Scrapped in 1952 at Bari, Italy.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 14,375 t.
  • Length 429' 2"
  • Beam 53' 6"
  • Draft 28'
  • Speed 14.85 kts.
  • Complement 70
  • Armament: One 4"/50 and one 3"/50 mount
  • Propulsion: Three single ended and one auxiliary boiler, one 3,880ihp vertical quadruple expansion steam engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    SS Minnesotan
    Minnesotan 79k Photographed prior to her World War I era Naval service, possibly when she was inspected by the 4th Naval District on 26 January 1916
    U.S. Navy photo NH 65127    		 Naval Historical Center
    Minnesotan 117k Photographed prior to World War I
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005
    Naval Historical Center photo NH 103053    		 Robert Hurst
    USS Minnesotan (ID 4545)
    Minnesotan 92k Workmen outfitting the ship at Shooters Island, New York, during her conversion to a troop transport, circa January-March 1919
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 107048    		 Robert Hurst
    Minnesotan 117k View looking aft from the foremast's upper lookout platform, 1919. This view was probably taken in about March 1919, as Minnesotan was nearing completion of conversion to a troop transport
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 107041
    Minnesotan 119k View looking aft from the foremast's upper lookout platform, while the ship was underway at sea, 1919
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 107040
    Minnesotan 119k View looking forward from the bridge in 1919, while the ship was transporting American troops home from France
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 107039
    Minnesotan 119k Homeward bound troops relaxing on deck near the forecastle break, while the ship was at sea in 1919. Photographed from the foremast
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 107043
    Minnesotan 119k View looking aft from the bridge, while the ship was at sea in 1919
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 107042
    Minnesotan 107k Homeward bound troops relaxing on deck in 1919
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010
    Naval History and Heritage Command photos NH 107044 and NH 107045
    Minnesotan 126k
    Minnesotan 86k Two Navy officers on board the ship in 1919. The Lieutenant Commander at right may be Edelbert L. Smith, USNRF, who was Minnesotan's Commanding Officer. The Lieutenant at left may be Frederick Heimerdinger, USNRF, or Gerald R. Crosby, USNRF
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 107046
    Minnesotan 119k Arriving in a U.S. port, while bringing American troops home from Europe in 1919. Location may be Charleston, South Carolina
    Panoramic photograph by Sargeant, Columbia, S.C.
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007
    Naval Historical Center photo NH 104445
    Minnesotan 132k Homeward bound U.S. troops ready to board the ship in a French port, 1919
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 107047
    Minnesotan 220k Original photo: View of Dry Dock No. 2 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, and its surroundings, 15 August 1919. Present in the dry dock are Lake Gedney, in center, and USS Minnesotan (ID 4545), partially visible at right. Both ships were being prepared for decommissioning. In the distance is the Reserve Basin, with several older battleships visible, among them USS Iowa (Battleship No. 4)
    Replacement photo: Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania. View of Dry Dock No. 2 and its surroundings, 15 August 1919. Present in the dry dock are Lake Gedney, at left, and USS Minnesotan (ID 4545), center. Both ships were being prepared for decommissioning. In the distance is the Reserve Basin, with several older battleships visible, among them USS Iowa (Battleship No. 4). This photo is taken from the original Naval History and Heritage Command photos NH 42572 and NH 46031
    This version is stitched by Time3000    		 Original photo: Naval Historical Center
    Replacement photo: Robert Hurst
    SS Minnesotan
    Minnesotan 250k Undated postcards David Upton
    Minnesotan 286k
    View the Minnesotan (ID 4545)
    DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website
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