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Identification Numbered Vessel Photo Archive

Tivives (ID 4521)



Civilian call sign (1919):
Love - Dog - Pup - Jig
Refrigerated Freighter:

  • Built in 1911 by Workman, Clarke and Co., Belfast, Ireland
  • Acquired by the Navy 5 July 1918 and commissioned the same day
  • Decommissioned 25 April 1919 at New York and returned to her owner, the United Fruit Co. of New York
  • Sunk 21 October 1943 by aerial torpedo from German aircraft, 15 miles of Cape Tenes, Algeria.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 5,017 t.
  • Length 378' 9"
  • Beam 50' 4"
  • Draft 22' 6½"
  • Depth of hold 29' 1"
  • Speed 12.5 kts.
  • Complement 91
  • Armament: One 5"/51 and one 3"/50 mount
  • Propulsion: Five single ended boilers, one 3,300ihp verticle triple expansion steam engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Tivives 123k U.S. Navy photo NH 105235 Naval Historical Center
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR William J. Close, USNRF5 July 1918 - 25 April 1919
    Courtesy Joe Radigan
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Tivives-a United Fruit Co. refrigerated ship built in 1911 at Belfast, Ireland-was chartered at New York City by the Navy on 5 July 1918 from the United Fruit Co. and commissioned the same day.

    Assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, Tivives loaded 1,603 tons of beef and eight motor trucks and, on 13 July, sailed in convoy for France. The Allied ships reached Gironde on the 28th and, the next day, moved to St. Nazaire where she discharged her cargo. The ship next proceeded to Verdon whence she sailed in convoy on 15 August for home. After reaching New York City on the 26th, she underwent minor repairs, took on 1,704 tons of beef and got underway on 2 September, bound once more in convoy for Europe. After unloading at Rochefort, the refrigerated ship departed Verdon on the 30th and returned to New York on 13 October. Only six days later, Tivives steamed out of New York harbor and headed eastward across the Atlantic with more beef for General Pershing's "doughboys." She reached Verdon on 6 November.

    Five days later, as the ship was discharging her cargo, Germany signed the armistice ending hostilities. One week thereafter, Tivives headed home, and she reached New York on 3 December.

    There, she took on 1,857 tons of beef and butter and got underway on Christmas Day. The ship reached Verdon on 4 January 1919, unloaded her cargo, picked up a cargo of American military equipment, and sailed for the United States on the 22d. The ship reached New York on 5 February but, 10 days later, began her last naval crossing, laden with beef for Europe. She moored at Verdon on the last day of February and, after delivering her beef, set her course homeward on 15 March.

    After reaching New York on the 27th, the ship began preparations for demobilization. She was decommissioned on 25 April and returned to her owner.

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