USS American (ID-2292)

USS "American" was a 5650 gross ton steel-hulled, single-screw freighter built at Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1900., by the Delaware River Shipbuilding Co. Employed commercially prior to World War I, she was commissioned for wartime Naval Service in May 1918 to the War Department by the USSB|first=long. Between June and September of that year the ship made two round-trip voyages to France. On 7 October 1918, while steaming in convoy during the initial leg of a third such trip, she collided with another Navy cargo ship, USS|West Gate|ID-3216|2. The latter rapidly sank, with the loss of seven of her crew, and "American" had to go to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for repairs. She began another voyage, to Gibraltar, in late November, more than two weeks after the Armistice. "American" arrived back in New York City in February 1919 and was returned to her owners a month later.

Transatlantic voyages

Sailing from New York on 31 May 1918, "American" joined an east-bound convoy on 2 June and reached Brest, France, on the 17th. Soon thereafter she proceeded via La Pallice to Bordeaux, where she discharged her cargo. The freighter cleared the French coast on 6 July and arrived in New York City on the 22 July. Before the summer was over, she made one additional round-trip voyage to France, departing New York City for Bordeaux on 5 August and arriving back home on 6 September.

Final voyage

She commenced her third cycle on 4 October, but, during poor visibility conditions collided with another NOTS cargoman, USS|West Gate|ID-3216|2, shortly after 02:28 on 7 October. "American's" stem cut sharply into "West Gate's" starboard side, near the poop. "West Gate", mortally stricken, sank swiftly and seven of her men lost their lives. "American" and the other vessels in convoy rescued the survivors.

After voyage repairs at Halifax, "American" sailed for Gibraltar on 27 November 1918 and reached that port on 9 December. After calling at Marseilles, the freighter returned to New York City on 8 February 1919. Returned to her prewar owners, the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company, on 4 March, the ship's name was stricken from the Navy list on 14 March 1919.

ources

* U.S. Naval Historical Center Retrieved on March 29 2008
*

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-a/id2292.htm/ Naval Historical Center - USS American (ID # 2292), 1918-1919]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a8/american-ii.htm/ Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships - USS American (1918)]