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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USAT George Washington
ex
USS Catlin (AP-19) (1941)
USS George Washington (ID#3018) (1917 - 1919)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
World War I Victory Medal

Built as the German passenger liner SS George Washington at Vulcan Works, Stettin, Germany

Launched, 10 November 1908

Operated by the North Germany Lloyd Line until World War I

Taken over by the United States Shipping Board (USSB), 6 April 1917

Converted for Naval service as a Transport at New York Navy Yard

Commissioned USS George Washington, 6 September 1917, CAPT. Edwin T. Pollock in command

Decommissioned, 28 November 1919

Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown

Returned to the USSB, 28 January 1920

Reconditioned for commercial service and chartered to US Mail Steamship Company in 1921, company name changed to United States Lines, 1921

Returned to USSB in 1931, for lay up in reserve at Patuxent River, MD.

Reacquired by the Navy from the Maritime Commission, 28 January 1941

Commissioned USS Catlin (AP-19), 13 March 1941

Decommissioned, 26 September 1941

Transferred to Great Britain under the Lend-Lease Act

Returned to the Maritime Commission, 17 April 1942

Operated under General Agency Agreement by Waterman Steamship Co., Mobile, AL.

Returned to the Maritime Commission, 5 September 1942

Converted to oil-burning engines at Todd Shipbuilding, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Chartered by the US Army, 17 April 1943 and commissioned USAT George Washington

Decommissioned, 21 April 1947, and returned to the Maritime Commission

Laid up in reserve at Baltimore, MD.

Final Disposition, damaged by fire, 16 January 1951, sold for scrapping, 13 February 1951, to Boston Metals Corp., Baltimore, MD.

Specifications:
Displacement 23,788 gt.
Length 722' 5"
Beam 78'
Draft 34'
Speed 16 kts.
Complement 749
Troop/Passenger Capacity 6,341

Armament

four single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mounts

four single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts

eight .50 caliber machine guns

Propulsion

two four-cylinder quadruple expansion reciprocating engines

coal fired later converted to oil fired boilers

twin propellers

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
Merchant Service
	124k	George Washington was born 22 February 1732 in Westmoreland County, Va. He was commissioned in the Virginia Militia in 1753, rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel the next year, and fought brilliantly in the French and Indian War. Entering the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1759, Washington was an early advocate of independence. In 1775 he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, and demonstrated a profound appreciation of sea power as well as great military genius. After years of hardship and arduous struggle, he finally won a decisive victory at Yorktown. In directing Allied movements during this campaign, one of the great strategic operations of our history, Washington brilliantly employed the French Navy to cut off Lord Cornwallis from help by sea. He had sought a decisive combined operation like this for years, for he wrote "In any operations, and under all circumstances a decisive Naval superiority is to be considered as a fundamental principle and the focus upon which every hope of success must ultimately depend. The Treaty of Paris recognized American independence 20 January 1783. After attending the Annapolis Convention of 1786 and presiding over the Continental Convention of 1787, Washington was unanimously elected first President under the new Constitution and inaugurated 30 April 1789. His two terms in office laid the foundations for strong government under the Constitution. Returning to his home at Mount Vernon in 1797, Washington was recalled briefly to command the American army when war with France threatened in 1798. He died at Mount Vernon 14 December 1799. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
	235k	Quoted from the book "Passenger Liners of the World Since 1893" (1979) by Nicholas T. Cairis.	Tommy Trampp
	131k	SS George Washington Braynard post card image.	Tommy Trampp
	61k	SS George Washington, underway, date and location unknown. Photo from "Passenger Liners of the World Since 1893" (1979) by Nicholas T. Cairis.	Tommy Trampp
	66k	SS George Washington, underway, date and location unknown.	Submitted by Elaine C. Witty, Charpentier, photo from the collection of Gerald M. Charpentier
	294k	Post card image of SS George Washington, underway, date and location unknown.	Tommy Trampp
	46k	Post Card image of SS George Washington, underway in the livery of the United States Lines, circa 1921-31, location unknown.	Tommy Trampp
	386k	SS George Washington departing Boston, 31 August 1927, with members of the American Legion aboard.	Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
	121k	Post card image of SS George Washington underway.	Tommy Trampp
	204k	SS George Washington underway, date and location unknown. From "Passenger Liners of the World Since 1893" (1970) by Nicholas T. Cairis	Tommy Trampp
	280k	Merchant Ships of the World Imperial Tobacco Card 37 SS George Washington underway.	Tommy Trampp
092201957	91k	SS George Washington drydocked at Boston, MA. in 1922. New York Times Pictorial Picture.	Joe Radigan
USS George Washington (ID#3018)
	89k	SS George Washington (ex-German Passenger Liner, 1908) at New York Navy Yard in the Summer of 1917, while fitting out for U.S. Navy service. She was placed in commission as USS George Washington (ID # 3018) in September. The ship partially visible at right (seen bow-on) is SS Kaiser Wilhelm II, which soon became *USS Agamemnon* (ID # 3004)*. . US Navy photo # NH 53777* from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	78k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** her transformation complete, awaits her first load of Europe-bound American troops. She sports a profusion of lifeboats and life rafts, and her forward port 5" gun is trained outward. The liner was fitted with four such weapons, two each side, with two forward and two aft. US Navy photo and text from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding.	Robert Hurst
	82k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** being coaled while tied up at Hoboken - coal is drawn up from the barges alongside through the tall mechanical loaders, dumped into the ship through her open coaling ports, then shoveled into her bunkers by crewmen. US Navy photo and text from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding.	Robert Hurst
	86k	An upper deck scene of *USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** taken during coaling (note the top of the mechanical loader visible at lower right) well illustrates the cramped conditions aboard a First World War troopship, even without troops aboard. In addition to the usual jungle of ventilators, exposed piping and deck-loaded cargo, George Washington is carrying scores of full-sized lifeboats. US Navy photo and text from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding.	Robert Hurst
	51k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** underway at sea, in late 1917 or during the first half of 1918. Note that the ship has not yet been fitted with wind deflectors on her fore and after mast crows nests. US Navy photo # NH 103168 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Admiral Albert Gleaves, USN.	US Naval Historical Center
	97k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018) underway at sea, 10 May 1918. Photographed from USS Whipple (Destroyer # 15)*, which was then operating off western France. US Navy photo # NH 53885* from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	99k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)'s after starboard side, taken while she was underway at sea, 10 May 1918. Photographed from USS Whipple (Destroyer # 15), Which was then serving off western France. Note lifeboats suspended from George Washington'** davits, ready position for quick launching, a necessary precaution while operating in the war zone. US Navy photo # NH 53887 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	803k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018), USS America (ID-3006) and USS De Kalb (ID-3010) crossing the Atlantic, 18 May 1918. Photo taken from the destroyer USS Whipple (Destroyer # 15)**.Imperial War Museums Photo No. Q 48188, part of the American First World War Official Exchange Collection.	Robert Hurst
	54k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** underway in the North Atlantic. Photo taken from unknown American vessel. Imperial War Museums Photo No. Q 65823, part of the American First World War Official Exchange Collection.	Robert Hurst
	72k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** in port at New York, 14 June 1918, showing her pattern camouflage. Photographed by the New York Navy Yard. US Navy photo # NH 53879 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	72k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** in port at New York, 14 June 1918, showing her pattern camouflage and the decoration on her bow bulwark. Photographed by the New York Navy Yard. US Navy photo # NH 53880 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	111k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** unloading cargo at Brest, France, in 1918. She is painted in "dazzle" camouflage. US Navy photo # NH 43281 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	92k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** probably in New York Harbor, circa December 1918. Photo by E. Muller, Jr. US Navy photo # NH 53884 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	91k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** underway in New York Harbor, circa December 1918 or early 1919. Photo by E. Muller Jr., New York. US Navy photo # NH 103188 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	48k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** underway at sea, in late 1918 or in 1919. US Navy photo # NH 103167 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Admiral Albert Gleaves, USN.	US Naval Historical Center
	82k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** showing the ship dressed with flags, circa late 1918 or in 1919. The photo was published in 1919 by the National Specialties Company of New York City as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning USS George Washington. . US Navy photo # NH 104818 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.	Robert Hurst
	57k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** in harbor, during late 1918 or in 1919. US Navy photo # NH 90913 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center. Courtesy of Mrs. Arthur C. Nagle, 1980	US Naval Historical Center
	71k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018) underway at sea, circa late 1918 or early 1919. Though the original photo caption states that this photograph was taken from USS Whipple (Destroyer # 15)*, 10 May 1918, it was actually taken many months later, after George Washington's crows nests had been fitted with wind deflectors. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 53886*	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	396k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** engineroom. RT &T reprint of a US Navy photo.	Tommy Trampp
	168k	U.S. Navy Nurses on board USS George Washington, December 1918. The collars of their coat-capes bear the leaf, acorn and anchor insignia of the Navy Nurse Corps. US Army Signal Corps Collection, U.S. National Archives. Photo # 111-SC-47436.	Robert Hurst
	112k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** officers, nurses and men of the transport's Medical Department, circa 1918-19. US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 100645. Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1986.	Robert Hurst
	96k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** underway at sea, probably off Long Island, New York. The original print was made by Naval Air Station Rockaway Beach, New York, and is dated 8 January 1919. US Navy photo # NH 103178 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center. Collection of Harry Polunsky. Donated by his grandson, Stephen Polunsky, 1974.	US Naval Historical Center
	63k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** in harbor, dressed with flags, circa 1919. US Navy photo # NH 86625 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1978.	US Naval Historical Center
	39k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)**, date and location unknown.	The 100th Infantry Division web site.
	68k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** steaming out of New York Bay on 5 March 1919, en route to France with President Woodrow Wilson on board. Photographed from an accompanying destroyer, whose crew is manning the rail as the transport passes by. US Navy photo # 53888 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center	Robert Hurst
	79k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** underway carrying the Presidential party to France, in 1919. Photo taken from one of the escorting destroyers, showing the aircraft escort of Curtiss MF flying boats and Presidential Flag flying at her main mast. US Navy photo from "A History Of The transport Service: Adventures And Experiences Of United States Transports And Cruisers In The World War", by VADM Albert Gleaves, USN, Published by George H Doran Co, New York.	Robert Hurst
	98k	*USS Woolsey* (Destroyer # 77), at left, and USS George Washington (ID#3018) dressed with flags at Brest France, 29 June 1919. President Woodrow Wilson is on board George Washington*, preparing to return to the United States. US Navy photo # NH 93978* from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center, Courtesy Jack Howland, 1982.	US Naval Historical Center
	75k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** underway off Brest, France, with President Woodrow Wilson on board, 13 December 1918. Photo by Zimmer. US Navy photo # NH 53704 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	Robert Hurst
	143k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** fifty miles out at sea on the morning of her arrival at Brest, France, with President Woodrow Wilson on board, 13 December 1918 US Navy photo # NH 53707 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	Robert Hurst
	93k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** steaming twenty-five miles at sea, while transporting President and Mrs Woodrow Wilson to the Versailles Peace Conference, 5 March 1919. The ship is flying the Presidential flag from atop her second mast. US Navy photo # NH 43045 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center.	Robert Hurst
	40k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** entering the harbor of Brest, France 5 March 1919. US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1984.041.001.064	Mike Green
	163k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** Officers and Crew pose with President Woodrow Wilson, during his return voyage from France, June 1919. Seated in the center of the photograph are (from left to right, just to left of the line running from the mast to the deck) are: Rear Admiral Cary Grayson, USN (MC), the President's physician; Captain Edward McCauley, ship's Commanding Officer; and President Woodrow Wilson. US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 53713, a US Army Signal Corps Photo now in the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command,	Robert Hurst
	97k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** showing the presidential party on the February 1919 return passage from Brest to New York. Here President and Mrs. Wilson pose for a group photo with some of the ambulatory patients and two stretcher cases. US Navy photo and text from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding.	Robert Hurst
	346k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** stopped in 1919 at Boston while returning President Wilson to the United States following his attendance at the Versailles Peace Conference.	Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
	192k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** entering New York Harbor bringing President Wilson home from the Versailles Peace Conference, 8 July 1919. US Navy photo from DANFS	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	235k	Stereoscopic view of *USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** entering New York Harbor bringing President Wilson home from the Versailles Peace Conference, 8 July 1919.	Tommy Trampp
	90k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** steaming at sea in a World War I Atlantic convoy, circa June-November 1918, while she was painted in pattern camouflage. US Navy photo # NH 100627 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center. Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1986.	US Naval Historical Center
	107k	Ex-*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** at Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA., in May 1920. This image is made up of three individual photographs, joined to form a panoramic view of the entire ship. Two U.S. Navy destroyers are partially visible in the left foreground. US Navy photo # NH 103180 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.	US Naval Historical Center
	68k	Ex-*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** at Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA., in 1920. US Navy photo # NH 103187 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.	US Naval Historical Center
	334k	Ex-*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** in drydock at Boston Navy Yard while having her hull repainted, 4 October 1925.	Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
	234k	Ex-*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** drydocked at South Boston Navy Yard while laid in the USSB Reserve Fleet, circa 1930s.	Courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
	149k	Right to Left, four ex-German liners laid up in the Patuxent River off Solomons Island, MD, circa 1939. USAT George Washington ex-*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** USAT America, ex-*USS America* (ID#3006)*, ex-USS Amerika* USAT Mount Vernon, ex-*USS Mount Vernon* (ID#4508)** and USAT Monticello, ex-*USS Agamemnon* (ID#3004)*, ex-USS Kaiser Wilhelm II*. US Navy photo.	Joe Radigan
	77k	*USS George Washington* (ID#3018)** medal model detailed and make by German Model makers CM	Tommy Trampp
USS Catlin (AP-19)
	117k	*Namesake* Brigadier General Albertus W. Catlin was born in Gowanda, New York, December 1, 1868. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1890 and from the Army War College in May 1917. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps, July 1, 1892, and was promoted through the grades to Brigadier General, retired, on December 10, 1919. He commanded the Marine Corps guard, USS Maine, when it was destroyed in Havana Harbor, 1898 (which started the Spanish-American War); commanded Marines aboard the USS St Louis during the war which followed; commanded the first Marines to land on Cuba, 1906. Served there until 1909. Commanded Marines in the fleet which landed at Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 21-22, 1914; commanded the 6th Marines, 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France in World War I, 1917-18; wounded in action at Belleau Wood, June 6, 1918; assigned as commander of 1st Brigade of Marines, Haiti, November 1918. Awarded the Medal of Honor for "distinguished conduct" at Vera Cruz, April 22, 1914; also received the Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Legion of Honor (France) for service at Chateau Thierry, June 1918. He died in Washington, D.C. on May 31, 1933 and was buried in Section 7 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Martha Ellen Catlin (1880-1937) is buried with him. Text: arlingtoncemetery.net Photo: USMC History Division	Bill Gonyo
	99k	*USS Catlin* (AP-19) at Philadelphia Navy Yard, 17 March 1941, just after being delivered from the Maritime Commission Reserve Fleet at no cost to the Navy for use as a Navy transport. She had been commissioned USS Catlin (AP-19)** a few days previously (13 March 1941) but was found unsuitable for Navy use and was decommissioned, 26 September 1941. After reconstruction with one smokestack she served as the USAT George Washington. US Navy photo # NH 105644 from the collections of the US Navy Historical Center, donated by CAPT. Stephen S. Roberts, USNR Ret., 2008.	Robert Hurst
USAT George Washington
	60k	Halftone reproduction of a photo of USAT George Washington taken circa 1943-1945. Copied from the book "Troopships of World War II", by Roland W. Charles. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 85263	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	349k	USAT George Washington on the right side of the pier and USAT Edmund B. Alexander on the left side of the pier, laid up in reserve at Hawkins Point, in the harbor at Baltimore, MD., 2 August 1949. Wirephoto thanks to Dave Schroeder	John Chiquoine