Specifications:

Click on thumbnail for full size image	Size	Image Description		Source
SS Vaterland
	75k			Tommy Trampp
	84k
	144k
	54k
	52k
	98k
	52k
	88k
	61k
	58k
	51k
	159k	Undated post cards
	61k
	113k
	52k	Advertising Color Magic Lantern Glass Slide Made by Harold Ivers Company, Metropolitan Life Building, New York
	343k	Photo from "Passenger Liners of the World Since 1893" (1979) by Nicholas T. Cairis
	61k	26 May 1914		Tommy Trampp
	369k	29 July 1914 Arriving at New York City Photo from "A History Of The Transport Service: Adventures And Experiences Of United States Transports And Cruisers In The World War", by Vice Admiral Albert Gleaves, USN, Published by George H. Doran Company, New York		Robert Hurst
	91k	11 December 1914 Hoboken, NJ		Tommy Trampp
	93k	c. 1915
	83k	Arriving at New York City on 29 July 1914, three days before Germany's declaration of war on Russia began World War I. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Captain Cyrus R. Miller, USN. U.S. Navy photo NH 103156		Naval Historical Center
	121k	Interned at their piers at Hoboken, New Jersey, on 4 April 1917, two days before the United States declared war on Germany. In the foreground is the stern of a U.S. Navy destroyer, which is keeping watch on the ships. The piers are those of the Hamburg-America Line (left center) and the North German Lloyd Line (right center). The large ship at left is S.S. Vaterland. The four-funneled liner in right center is probably S.S. Kaiser Wilhelm II (later USS Agamemnon [ID-3004]). U.S. Navy photo NH 54700
	118k	Vaterland tied up at her New York pier, on 8 April 1917, the day after her seizure by the U.S. government National Archives photo from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding		Robert Hurst
USS Leviathan (ID 1326)
	90k	.		Joe Radigan
	79k	Troops taking the air		Tommy Trampp
	76k	At anchor with two unknown tugs alongside. She is painted in a dazzle color scheme prepared by Norman Wilkinson's Admiralty team. National Archives photo 13431 from "Naval Camouflage 1914-1945: A Complete Visual Reference" by David Williams		Robert Hurst
	155k	Doughboys and blue jackets shelter from the wind on Leviathan's foc'sle during a winter crossing Naval History and Heritage Command photo from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding
	101k	The crew of one of Leviathan's 6" guns as they take a break near their weapon, surrounded by fellow blue jackets. The ship was armed with eight of these weapons: four forward, two aft and two amidships. Only the forward and aft mounts had splinter shields, though all eight guns had ready-ammunition lockers fitted to the deck close at hand Naval History and Heritage Command photo from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding
	116k	Members of her crew standing opposite one of the many mounds of life jackets discarded by disembarking troops. Even after the Armistice embarked personnel were sometimes ordered into life jackets as the ship approached port, primarily as a precaution in case the troopship collided with another vessel or hit a rogue mine National Archives photo from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding
	117k	Undated post card showing her Flying Bridge		Tommy Trampp
	336k	Transporting U.S. troop to France Photo from "A History Of The Transport Service: Adventures And Experiences Of United States Transports And Cruisers In The World War", by Vice Admiral Albert Gleaves, USN, Published by George H. Doran Company, New York		Robert Hurst
	113k	Nurses aboard the transport pose in rubber survival suits, during a World War I Atlantic crossing. The Navy officer with them is wearing a life vest Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 51406
	127k	Metal model of Leviathan is detailed and made by fine German Model Makers CM		Tommy Trampp
	81k	Steaming out of New York in wartime camouflage, probably 1917 U.S. Navy photo		Joe Radigan
	137k	Departing New York for France, on 15 December 1917, cheered on by troops and nurses packed aboard a smaller vessel National Archives photo from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding		Robert Hurst
	87k	Oil painting by Burnell Poole, depicting USS Allen (Destroyer No. 66) escorting Leviathan in the War Zone, 1918. The original painting measures 60" x 33" Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. U.S. Navy photo NH 42690-KN		Naval Historical Center
	115k	Halftone reproduction of a photograph showing the ship moored to a buoy in 1918. She is painted in "dazzle" camouflage. The original photograph was taken by Enrique Muller, New York U.S. Navy photo NH 51396
	129k	Underway at sea, 1918. The ship in the right distance is USS Northern Pacific. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson U.S. Navy photo NH 66289
	104k	In harbor, while painted in "dazzle" camouflage, 1918. The original photograph was captioned "The Queen of Them All", a reference to Leviathan's status as the then largest ship in the World. Collection of James J. Clerkin Sr. Naval Historical Center photo NH 103165		Robert Hurst
	84k	At sea in 1918. Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1987. Naval Historical Center photo NH 101625
	105k	In port, while painted in "dazzle" camouflage in 1918, probably at Brest, France. Photographed by Zimmer. Naval Historical Center photo NH 51391
	70k	Photographed from USS Warrington (Destroyer No. 30), 1918. Courtesy of Gustavus C. Robbins, 1973. Naval Historical Center photo NH 77161.
	80k	Photographed in 1918. The destroyer in the right foreground may be USS Downes (Destroyer No. 45), which had a similar (though not identical) camouflage scheme Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1981. Naval Historical Center photo NH 92952.
	137k	At Pier Number 4, Hoboken, New Jersey, 19 April 1918. She is painted in "dazzle" camouflage. The covered lighter alongside the ship is marked (faintly) "U.S. Navy Provisions & Clothing Depot" Photographed by the New York Navy Yard Naval Historical Center photo NH 51395
	108k	In harbor, with tugs in attendance at her starboard bow, 1918 Naval Historical Center photo NH 71
	104k	Passing a light ship while at sea in 1918. A destroyer is in the left background. Naval Historical Center photo NH 43284
	102k	In a busy harbor, while wearing "dazzle" camouflage, 1918. A small vessel towing a "kite" balloon is just to right of Leviathan's bow, and the many camouflaged ships present. Location may be Brest, France. Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2007 Naval Historical Center photo NH 105107
	105k	In New York Harbor, 1918, with a tug steaming by on the right and a battleship in the left background. Photographed by E. Muller Jr., 198 Broadway, New York City Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2007 Naval Historical Center photo NH 105389
	127k	In New York Harbor, 1918, while painted in "dazzle" camouflage. Photographed by E. Muller Jr., 198 Broadway, New York City Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008 Naval Historical Center photo NH 105517
	127k	Drydocked at Liverpool, England, in the spring of 1918. She is partially repainted in the "dazzle" camouflage scheme she carried for the rest of World War I. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008 Naval Historical Center photo NH 105518
	99k	Henderson (Transport No. 1), at left, and Leviathan, center, photographed circa May 1918, probably at Brest, France. They were members of a convoy escorted by USS Wakiva (SP-160), from which this photograph was presumably taken. Wakiva was lost in a collision on 22 May 1918. Both ships are wearing "dazzle" camouflage Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in Wakiva during World War I Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 105585
	143k	Docked at Hoboken, New Jersey, on 8 July 1918, while painted in "dazzle" camouflage Photographed by the New York Navy Yard Naval Historical Center photo NH 51393
	108k	In New York Harbor, attended by several tugs on 8 July 1918. Photographed by the New York Navy Yard. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson. U.S. Navy photo NH 51392		Naval Historical Center
	69k	Leaving New York City carrying nearly 14,500 persons, including troops and ship's personnel, circa July 1918. In the foreground is the cruiser USS New Orleans, which was at anchor at Thompkinsville, N.Y. Courtesy of Captain Edgar B. Larimer, USN, 1931. He was New Orleans' Commanding Officer at the time this photograph was taken. Naval Historical Center photo NH 1096		Robert Hurst
	193k	c. 1918 Arriving at Brest, France U.S. Army Signal Corps photo		Tommy Trampp
	131k	Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken from USS Northern Pacific as both ships were steaming through heavy seas en route to France during September 1918. This image was published in 1919 by the National Specialties Company of New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning USS Leviathan Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005 U.S. Navy photo NH 103198		Naval Historical Center
	144k	Steaming up the North River, New York City, on her way to her pier with 8,000 troops on board who are returning home from France, 16 December 1918. Tugs alongside indicate that the ship is moving into her berth Courtesy of San Francisco Maritime Museum, San Francisco, California, 1969 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 69056		Robert Hurst
	150k	A close-up of some of the sailors returning from duty in France crowd around one of the starboard forward 6" mounts for a better view of the docking, on 16 December 1918. Note that several of the life rafts suspended from the ship's forward superstructure had been painted as part of the overall dazzle scheme. Though the majority of the ship's hull was by now overall grey, parts of her upper works retained traces of the dazzle scheme Naval History and Heritage Command photo from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding
	86k	Arriving at New York after a voyage across the Atlantic from France, 1919 Naval Historical Center photo NH 41868
	111k	In New York Harbor, with tugs assisting her into her berth, circa late 1918 or 1919. Photo printed on a stereograph card, copyrighted by Underwood & Underwood and published by the Keystone View Company. Donation of Louis Smaus, 1985 U.S. Navy photo NH 100305		Naval Historical Center
	121k	Photographed from the top of the Woolworth Building, New York City, while departing for a trans-Atlantic voyage in 1918-1919 Courtesy of Mrs. Mabel Croft Graham, 1968 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 65572		Robert Hurst
	107k	Photographed circa late 1918 or in 1919 Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1977 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 85459
	165k	At Brest, France, with harbor craft alongside, circa early 1919 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 51390
	133k	Photographed in 1919. She is probably arriving in New York Harbor from France, bringing service personnel home from the former World War I combat zone Photographed by the Navy's Bureau of Navigation Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 51397
	140k	At anchor, circa mid- or late-1919, while wearing "dazzle" camouflage. Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008 Naval Historical Center photo NH 105764
	108k	In New York Harbor, with the Manhattan skyline in the background, 1919 Photographed by E. Muller Jr., 198 Broadway, New York City Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2007 Naval Historical Center photo NH 105176
	150k	In New York Harbor (probably Hoboken, New Jersey), 1919 Donation of Charles R. Haberlein, Jr., 2008 Naval Historical Center photo NH 105774
	130k	Entering New York Harbor in March 1919, with 8,000 troops of the 27th Division on board Photographed by Enrique Muller, Jr., New York Courtesy of Harold B. Feile, 1970 U.S. Navy photo NH 70166		Naval Historical Center
	135k	In New York Harbor, March 1919, crowded with troops returning from France. She is accompanied by several tugs, an ambulance boat, and (alongside her bow) what appears to be USS SC-412 Photographed by E. Muller Jr., New York Naval Historical Center photo NH 105192		Robert Hurst
	104k	Arriving in New York Harbor while bringing troops home from France, probably in March 1919. She has an honors escort of local arbor steamers. The Statue of Liberty is in the distance. Photographed by N. Moser, New York City Naval Historical Center photo NH 105390
	143k	Entering New York Harbor, accompanied by many smaller vessels, 1919. The general appearance of celebration indicates the ship is arriving from France, with service personnel on board, possibly in March 1919. Photographed from Hudson Terminal Courtesy of Harold B. Feile, 1970 Naval History and Heritage Command photos NH 71159 and NH 71160
	151k
	154k	c. September 1919 General Pershing departing France and returning to the United States U.S. Army Signal Corps photo		Tommy Trampp
	111k	USS Imperator (ID 4080), at left, and Leviathan at Hoboken, New Jersey, probably after Imperator's first trans-Atlantic voyage as a U.S. Navy ship, circa late May 1919. At that time, these were the World's largest ships, hence the photo's title: "The 'Giants' of the Sea". Panoramic photograph by Picot, 15 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. Donation of Georgia Adams Grann and Caryl L. Adams, 2005. The original print came from the collection of their father, George W. Adams, who enlisted in the Navy in 1908. U.S. Navy photo NH 103126.		Naval Historical Center
	60k	Post card dated 20 May 1919		Tommy Trampp
	86k	Back of post card
	234k	Ship's Officers and Crew pose on her foredeck, at Hoboken, New Jersey, 14 July 1919. The ship's Commanding Officer, seated in the front row immediately to the right of the anchor chain in center, is Captain Edward H. Durell, USN. Seven nurses are present in the second row, to left and right of the center Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007 Panoramic photograph ©by Hughes & Estabrook, 251 West 42nd Street, New York City Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 104684		Robert Hurst
	321k	Poster from the "What the Navy is Doing" series, published by the Navy Recruiting Bureau, New York, 1919. It depicts U.S. Navy ships transporting Army personnel home from the European war zone after the end of World War I, with text emphasizing the advantages to former Soldiers of enlisting in the Navy. Leviathan is featured in the center of the poster National Archives photo 80-WP-992
SS Leviathan
	215k	Undated post card © Ed. Levick, NY		Tommy Trampp
	91k	Undated post cards
	88k
	115k	Photographed in April 1922, while en route to Newport News, Virginia, to be reconditioned for commercial service Courtesy of the Naval Medical Command Archives, 1983 Naval History and Heritage Command photos NH 94331, NH 94332 and NH 94333		Robert Hurst
	100k
	115k
	179k	Original photo: At Newport News, Virginia, shipyard workers pour from the vessel in response to the noon whistle. During her year-long, $8 million refurbishment Leviathan was converted to oil fuel and returned to her full pre-war splendor Naval History and Heritage Command photo from "Great Liners at War" by Stephen Harding Replacement photo: Workmen leaving the ship for lunch on 15 June 1922, while she was being refitted for commercial service at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Newport News, Virginia Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, San Francisco, California, 1969 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 69162
	97k	Amidships deck view, looking forward Photo by Robert Howlett and George Downes		Tommy Trampp
	165k	Aerial photograph of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard's, pier area, February 1923. USS West Virginia (BB-48) is fitting out in the left center. In right center is Leviathan, refitting for commercial service Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 93533		Robert Hurst
	117k	Entering Dry Dock Number 3, Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts, during the 1920s Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 51335
	109k	In drydock at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1923. She is undergoing preparations for her maiden voyage under the United States Lines flag, which commenced on 4 July of that year Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 43035
	111k	Steaming out of New York Harbor, circa the mid-1920s. The Manhattan skyline is in the background. U.S. Navy photo NH 43553		Naval Historical Center
	143k	Photographed from an aircraft, while underway at sea during the 1920s or 1930s. U.S. Navy photo NH 41867
	74k	Underway during the 1920s or 1930s, probably in French waters. U.S. Navy photo NH 103130
	39k	c. 1930 Boston, MA		Tommy Trampp
	256k	7 April 1930 Boston, MA		Edward Russo
	271k
	116k	Leaving New York Harbor, 21 July 1934 Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967 U.S. Navy photo NH 65023 and NH 65024		Naval Historical Center
	113k
	147k	Halftone reproduction from a contemporary newspaper, showing the ship steaming down the Hudson River, off Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1938, bound for Scotland to be scrapped. Its title, "They'll Tear Her Tattered Ensign Down" is a reference to Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem opposing the proposed scrapping of USS Constitution in 1830. International News Photo Courtesy of CWO2 John A. Steel, USN. U.S. Navy photo NH 51399

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Commanding Officers
01	CAPT Joseph Wallace Oman, USN - USNA Class of 1886 Awarded the Navy Cross (1918) - Appointed Military Governor of the United States Virgin Islands (1919 - 1921) Retired as Rear Admiral	23 July 1917 - 3 March 1918
02	CAPT Henry F. Bryan, USN - USNA Class of 1887 Awarded the Navy Cross (1918) - Appointed Governor of American Samoa (17 March 1925 - 9 September 1927) Retired as Rear Admiral	3 March 1918 - 21 September 1918
03	CAPT William W. Phelps, USN - USNA Class of 1889 Awarded the Navy Cross (1918) - Retired as Rear Admiral	21 September 1918 - 4 April 1919
04	CAPT Edward H. Durell, USN - USNA Class of 1887 Retired as Captain	4 April 1919 - 29 October 1919

Courtesy Joe Radigan

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In April 1917, when the United States entered the war, Vaterland was seized and turned over to the U.S. Navy, which placed her in service later in the year as USS Leviathan. In October 1919, she was transferred to the U.S. Shipping Board and again laid up at Hoboken until plans for her future employment could be determined. These finally materialized and, in April 1922 the ship steamed to Newport News, Virginia, where she was completely renovated to suit American tastes and post-World War I standards. As S.S. Leviathan, she was the "queen" of the United States' merchant fleet, and operated in the trans-Atlantic trade into the early 1930s. She was not profitable, however, and, with the exemption of several months of additional service in 1934, Leviathan was inactive until early 1938, when she made a final Atlantic crossing to Scotland, where she was broken up. No U.S. flag commercial ship approached her size until 1952, when the S.S. United States was completed.

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This page created by Joseph M. Radigan and maintained by David Wright