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Identification Numbered Vessels Photo Archive

Piave (ID 3799)



Civilian call sign (1919):
Love - Pup - Dog - Watch

Sunk 29 January 1919
Freighter:

  • Built in 1918 by the Federal Shipbuilding Co., Hackensack River, NJ
  • Launched 7 September 1918
  • Acquired by the Navy 18 December 1918 and commissioned the same day at Brooklyn, NY
  • Ran aground near Deal, England, 29 January 1919 half a mile east of Gull Lightship in the Straits of Dover and broke in half
  • Struck from the Naval Register 4 February 1919.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 13,130 t.
  • Length 411' 6"
  • Beam 55'
  • Draft 27"
  • Speed 11 kts.
  • Complement 70
  • 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
    Piave 7 September 1918
    After launching
    National Archives photo 165-WW 499 118 by the Emergency Fleet Corporation    		 Mike Mohl
    Photo added 18 October 2020
    Piave 90k Probably photographed around the time of her completion at Kearny, New Jersey, in December 1918
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 105608    		 Robert Hurst
    Piave 65k Photographed on 17 December 1918 by her builder, Federal Shipbuilding Company, Kearny, New Jersey
    National Archives photo from Shipscribe
    Piave 59k Departing the shipyard of her builder, Federal Shipbuilding Company, Kearny, New Jersey, for official trials, 18 December 1918
    U.S. Navy photo NH 102129    		 Naval Historical Center
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships History: Piave (No. 3799), a steam cargo ship was launched for the USSB in 1918 by the Federal Shipbuilding Co., Hackensack River, N.J., acquired by the Navy 18 December 1918 for operation as a NOTS vessel on Army account, and commissioned at Brooklyn, N.Y. 18 December 1918, Lt. Comdr. H.L. Mortenson, USNRF, in command.

    After fitting out and upon successful completion of sea trials, she steamed for Falmouth, England 14 January 1919 with a cargo of flour and pork destined for American troops overseas. Piave arrived Falmouth 28 January and steamed on for Rotterdam the same day. That night, during a fierce storm accompanied by a blinding snow, she went aground about half a mile east of Gull Lightship in the Straits of Dover. Although she parted amidships and lost her entire cargo, all hands were rescued.

    Piave was struck from the Navy List 4 February 1919.

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