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Identification Numbered Civilian Ships Photo Archive

Relief (ID 2170)

Salvage Tug:

  • Built in 1907 by Harlan and Hollingsworth, Wilmington, DE
  • Acquired by the Navy 8 August 1918
  • Commissioned 19 August 1918
  • Returned to her owner 14 May 1919
  • Placed out of service in 1955
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 1,386 t.
  • Length 200'
  • Beam 30' 3"
  • Draft 20' 7"
  • Speed 14.5 kts.
  • Complement 58
  • Propulsion: Two single ended boilers, one 1,000hp vertical triple expansion steam engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Relief 91k Photographed prior to her World War I Navy service
    U.S. Navy photo NH 102156    		 Naval Historical Center
    Relief 62k c. 1911
    Key West, FL    		 Keith Armour
    Relief 147k
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: The fourth Relief, a steel wrecking tug built during 1907 by Harlan & Hollingsworth, was acquired 8 August 1918 for U.S. Navy service from the Merritt & Chapman Derrick and Wrecking Co. of New York; and commissioned 19 August 1918.

    Relief operated as a salvage and wrecking tug in the New York area while assigned to the 3d Naval District into 1919. She was sold to her former owner 14 May 1919, and remained in commercial service between the two world wars. Returned to Navy service during World War II, Relief was operated by her owner under direction of the Bureau of Ships from 14 January 1942. Relief subsequently returned to mercantile service and was placed out of service in 1955.
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