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Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive
Chestnut Hill (ID 2526)
Chestnut Hill Class Tanker: Built in 1917 as Desdemona by the Pennsylvania Shipbuilding Co., Gloucester City, NJ; Acquired by the Navy, 14 March 1918 and commissioned Chestnut Hill (ID 2526) the same day; Decommissioned 3 September 1919 at Philadelphia, PA and returned to to the United States Shipping Board. Fate unknown.
Specifications: Displacement 10,150 t.; Length 380'; Beam 50' 9"; Draft 24' 6"; Speed 11 kts.; Complement 71; Armament one 6" and one 6-pounder.
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In port, probably at or near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 16 March 1918, two days after she was commissioned. U.S. Navy photo NH 70471-A |
Naval Historical Center |
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In port, possibly when she was inspected by the Third Naval District on 16 May 1918. U.S. Navy photo NH 99657 |
Naval Historical Center |
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At sea, probably photographed from USS SC-143 while she was escorting a group of submarine chasers from Bermuda to the Azores in 1918. Collection of Peter K. Connelly. Courtesy of William H. Davis, 1967. U.S. Navy photo NH 64962 |
Naval Historical Center |
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In a harbor, circa October 1918, possibly at Bermuda while she was escorting a group of submarine chasers across the Atlantic.
Collection of George K. Beach, who was a crewmember of USS SC-331 at the time. U.S. Navy photo NH 99631 |
Naval Historical Center |
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At sea, circa October 1918, while she was escorting a group of submarine chasers from Bermuda to the Azores.
Collection of George K. Beach, who was a crewmember of USS SC-331 at the time. U.S. Navy photo NH 99636 |
Naval Historical Center |
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Refueling submarine chasers at sea in October 1918, while she was escorting them from Bermuda to the Azores. Collection of George K. Beach, who was a crewmember of USS SC-331 at the time. U.S. Navy photo NH 99632-A |
Naval Historical Center |
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Refueling a submarine chaser (probably SC-331), at sea in October 1918, while she was escorting a group of submarine chasers from Bermuda to the Azores. Collection of George K. Beach, who was a crewmember of USS SC-331 at the time. U.S. Navy photo NH 99635 |
Naval Historical Center |
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Entering Dry Dock Number Two at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 28 August 1919. Photographed by LaTour, Philadelphia. U.S. Navy photo NH 55114 |
Naval Historical Center |
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships:Chestnut Hill
A residential section in Philadelphia, Pa.
Chestnut Hill (No. 2526), a tanker, was launched 23 August 1917 by Pennsylvania Shipbuilding Co., Gloucester City, N.J.; acquired by the Navy 14 March 1918 commissioned the same day, Lieutenant Commanier J. D. Murray, USNRF, in command; and reported to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service.
Between 22 March and 15 June 1918 Chestnut Hill served as an escort and fuel ship for two convoys of submarine chasers as they sailed to the Azores. After repairs, the tanker made coastwise runs until 26 September, when she cleared to escort another group of submarine chasers to Bermuda and the Azores.
On 1 November 1918 she departed Bermuda and after loading oil at Texas ports, called at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, before delivering her cargo to east coast ports. On 17 December, she sailed to escort submarine chasers from the Azores to San Domingo, Guantanamo, and Haiti. After repairing and loading oil at Gulf ports Chestnut Hill sailed 28 February 1919 for Gibraltar where she had an overhaul until June.
Chestnut Hill assembled a group of submarine chasers for the homeward voyage from European ports, and on 28 July cleared Lisbon to escort the ships to New York. She was decommissioned at Philadelphia 3 September 1919, and returned to the Shipping Board the following day.
This page created and maintained by Joseph M. Radigan
© 2005 Joseph M. Radigan © 1996 - 2005 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
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