Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online:
Identification Numbered Vessel Photo Archive

Gorontalo (ID 2682)


Freighter:

  • Built in 1908 by Bonn and Nees, Rotterdam, Holland
  • Acquired by the Navy 21 March 1918
  • Commissioned 4 April 1918 at Newport News, VA
  • Decommissioned 14 May 1919 at Rotterdam, Holland and returned to her owners, the Rotterdamsche Lloyd Line
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 5,884 t.
  • Length 395' 9"
  • Beam 51' 6"
  • Draft 20' 10"
  • Speed 9.5 kts.
  • Complement 62
  • Armament: One 4"/50 mount
  • Propulsion: Three single ended boilers, one 2,500hp vertical triple expansion steam engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image
    Size Image Description Source
    Gorontalo 53k Probably photographed around the time of her seizure by the United States at Norfolk 20 March 1918. She is wearing Dutch neutrality markings
    Naval Historical Center photo NH 105203
    Robert Hurst

    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR John E. Powell, USNRF4 April 1918
    02LCDR Kinchen J. Powers, USNRF1919
    Courtesy Joe Radigan

    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Gorontalo was a Dutch cargo ship built by Bonn and Nees, Rotterdam, for Rotterdamsche Lloyd in 1908 and was among Dutch ships taken over by Customs officials in Hampton Roads 20 March 1918. She was turned over to the Shipping Board for transfer to the Navy. Gorontalo was operated on Army account by the Navy, Commissioned at Newport News, VA., 4 April 1918, Lt. Comdr. John E. Powell, USNRF, in command.

    Assigned to NOTS, Gorontalo proceeded to New York where she drydocked until 28 April, and then sailed for Baltimore to join a cargo convoy to Europe. Sailing 17 May, she arrived at St. Nazaire, France, 2 June 1918 with vital supplies for the Army. Gorontalo returned to Baltimore 12 July to prepare for another voyage.

    Subsequently, she made three trips to France with saddles. On her second voyage, she returned to Baltimore with over 90 tons of captured German artillery Gorontalo was then converted into an animal transport and on her third voyage carried over 500 horses to Bordeaux. Her last voyage to Europe was out of New Orleans, and, after arriving with a load of foodstuffs at Hamburg 27 March 1919, she returned to Rotterdam and was turned over to her original owners. Gorontalo decommissioned 14 May 1919.


    Back To The Main Photo Index Back to the Identification Numbered Vessel (ID) Photo Index

    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster

    This page created by Joseph M. Radigan and maintained by David Wright
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History