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Identification Numbered Vessel Photo Archive

Edgar F. Luckenbach (ID 4597)



Navy call sign:
George - Dog - Sail - Quack


Edgar F. Luckenbach served both the U. S. Army and the Navy.

Freighter/Transport:

  • Built in 1916 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA
  • Chartered by the U. S. Army, operating with a civilian crew until July 1918
  • Transferred to the Navy 11 July 1918 and commissioned USS Edgar F. Luckenbach the same day
  • Registry No. ID-4597 was probably assigned after she had completed her Naval service
  • Decommissioned 30 October 1919 and returned to her owner, the Luckenbach Steamship Co. of New York
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 17,500 t.
  • Length 442' 2"
  • Beam 57' 3"
  • Draft 31' 6"
  • Speed 12 kts.
  • Complement 70
  • Armament: One 5"/51 and one 3"/50 mount
  • Propulsion: Three single ended boilers, one 3,500hp verticle triple expansion steam engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    SS Edgar F. Luckenbach
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 112k Under construction Tommy Trampp
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 101k
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 145k
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 90k c. 1916
    Awaiting launching
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 111k
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 125k
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 72k c. 1916
    Launched
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 101k Underway, circa 1916, probably upon completion of her construction by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 65091    		 Naval Historical Center
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 89k While under charter to the U.S. Army before becoming a naval vessel in July 1918
    National Archives photo 19-N-14829 from Shipscribe.com    		 Robert Hurst
    USS Edgar F. Luckenbach (ID 4597)
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 158k Halftone reproduction of a photograph showing the ship underway in 1919, with troops crowding her decks
    This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007
    Naval Historical Center photo NH 104824    		 Robert Hurst
    Edgar F. Luckenbach 118k Halftone reproduction of a photograph showing the ship underway in 1919, with troops crowding her decks. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning USS Edgar F. Luckenbach
    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 104824 from Shipscribe.com
    SS Edgar F. Luckenbach
    Edward Luckenbach 387k Luckenbach Passenger Service brochure Tommy Trampp
    Edward Luckenbach 375k
    Edward Luckenbach 61k Luckenbach Lines advertisement from the 31 May 1921 edition of the Evening Public Ledger, Philadelphia, PA
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR Arthur W. Sears, USNRF11 July 1918
    02ENS George B. Hearn, USNRF1918
    Courtesy Joe Radigan
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Edgar F. Luckenbach (No. 4597), a cargo ship, was built in 1916 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA. chartered by the Army with an Armed Guard crew aboard until transferred to the Navy 11 July 1918; converted for naval service at New Orleans, La.; and commissioned 11 July 1918, Lieutenant Commander A. W. Sears, USNRF, in command.

    Edgar F. Luckenbach sailed from New Orleans 14 July 1918 and joined a convoy at New York bound for France. She offloaded her Army cargo at Verdon, La Pallice, Bordeaux, and Royans, then returned to Newport News 26 September. She made a second voyage between New York and Marseilles, then was transferred from the Naval Overseas Transportation Service to the Cruiser and Transport Force to bring home sick wounded, and convalescent troops. From 1 March to 11 October 1919 she made five such voyages to France. Arriving Norfolk, she was decommissioned and returned to her owner 30 October 1919.

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