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:
Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

Narragansett (SP 2196)


Coastal Passenger Steamship: Built in 1913 by Harlan and Hollingsworth and Co., Wilmington, DE; Acquired by the Navy, 11 January 1918; Commissioned, 28 January 1918; Decommissioned, 12 September 1919; Sold, 13 August 1920; Renamed Richelieu, 1923. Fate unknown.

Specifications: Displacement 19,503 t.; Length 320' 2"; Beam 48' 1"; Draft 16'; Speed 23 kts.; Complement 165.
Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Source
Narragansett 107k Stranded on Bembridge Ledge, Isle of Wight, circa early February 1919. She had gone aground while en route to Southampton, England, during post-World War I transport operations, and was later refloated and returned to service.
US Navy Photo NH 568
Naval Historical Center
Narragansett 72k Aground on the Isle of Wight, circa 1 February 1919. She was stranded while en route to Southampton, England, during post-World War I transport operations. In the distance is the British troopship Empress Queen, which was also aground.
US Navy Photo NH 45640
Naval Historical Center

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: The second Narragansett (SP-2196), launched by Harlan and Hollingsworth and Co., Wilmington, Del., in 1913, was acquired through purchase from the Central Vermont Transportation Co., 11 January 1918, and commissioned at New London, 28 January 1918, Lt. Comdr. William R. Allen USNRF,
in command.

On 14 February 1918, Narragansett departed New London and steamed to Wilmington, Del., for overhaul and alterations necessary for troop transport service. In May, she shifted to Philadelphia, whence she sailed, in June, to New York. On 10 July, she departed New York, in convoy, arriving at St. Nazaire and reporting for duty in the Cross Channel Fleet on the 21st. From that time until the Armistice Narragansett served as a unit of that fleet, which was charged with the highly important mission of keeping men and material, especially coal, flowing from the British Isles to the Continent. During August and September, Narragansett crossed from Southampton to Le Havre twice a week. In October, she cut back to once a week, but, throughout, she carried an average of over 1,400 troops per voyage.

After the Armistice, the transport reversed her mission and commenced carrying troops from France to England. With the new year, 1919, she extended her operational area to include the North and Baltic Seas ports of Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Copenhagen. On 31 January, however, Narragansett, en route to Southampton, went aground on the Isle of Wight and repairs required two months. She departed Plymouth for New York 30 May and arrived in New York 15 June. Decommissioned 12 September at Hoboken, N.J., she was sold 13 August 1920.


Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Not applicable for this vessel
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Not applicable for this vessel
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Patrol Craft/Gunboat/Submarine Chaser Ship Type Index Back to the Section Patrol Craft (SP) Photo Index

Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster

This page created and maintained by Joseph M. Radigan
© 2005 Joseph M. Radigan © 1996 - 2005 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.