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Identification Numbered Ships Photo Archive

Marne (ID 3929)



Civilian call sign (1919):
Love - Pup - Quack - George
Freighter:

  • Built in 1918 by the Federal Shipbuilding Co., Kearney, NJ
  • Acquired by the Navy 3 February 1919 and commissioned USS Marne (ID 3929) the same day at Brooklyn, NY
  • Decommissioned 6 February 1919 and returned to the United States Shipping Board
  • During subsequent civilian operation, she reportedly sank at Cristobal, Canal Zone, on 24 January 1920 but later returned to service
  • Sold in 1937 to a British firm based in Shanghai, China and renamed Marne Maru
  • Sold in 1938 to Japanese interests and renamed Yuzan Maru
  • Torpedoed and sunk by USS Scorpion (SS-278) on 27 April 1943.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 13,130 t.
  • Length 411'
  • Beam 55'
  • Draft 27'
  • Speed 10.5 kts.
  • Complement 72
  • Propulsion: Three single ended boilers, one 2,500shp General Electric steam turbine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Marne 77k Shown just after being launched on 12 October 1918 by the Federal Shipbuilding Co., Kearny, New Jersey
    Naval Historical Center photo NH 65128    		 Robert Hurst
    Marne 109k Photographed around the time of her completion in January 1919
    National Archives photo from Shipscribe.com
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships History: Marne, a turbine-powered cargo ship built by Federal Shipbuilding Co., Kearney, N.J., in 1918, was acquired by the Navy from the U.S. Shipping Board 3 February 1919; and commissioned at Brooklyn. N.Y., the same day, Lt. Comdr. Howard F. Fitzsimmons, USNRF, in command.

    Assigned to NOTS duty, Marne was scheduled to carry supplies to Europe under USSB account. However, as she prepared to load a full cargo of military goods, shipping orders were canceled, and she was ordered demobilized. Marne decommissioned at New York 6 February 1919 and was transferred to USSB. She remained in the custody of USSB until abandoned in 1933.

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