Contributed by National Archives at Boston
Description
On September 3, 1942 in convoy from the United Kingdom to New York with more than 1,400 passengers and crew aboard, the U.S.S. Wakefield caught fire south of Nova Scotia. The fire was contained using new waterfog nozzles that had been flown out to the ship.
The same firefighting nozzles were used in training sailors on Little Chebeague Island in Casco Bay during World War II when the Navy had a large presence there.
When built in 1932 for United States Lines as the SS Manhattan, the ship that became the Wakefieldship was the largest liner ever built in the United States. In June 1941, she was chartered by the U.S. Navy.
In the picture, the ship is arriving at the Boston Navy Shipyard for repair in November 1942.
About This Item
- Title: 'USS Wakefield' under tow, Boston, 1942
- Creator: Department of the Navy. First Naval District. Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Administration. Office of the Historical Officer.
- Creation Date: 1942
- Subject Date: 1942
- Location: Boston, Suffolk County, MA
- Media: Photographic print
- Dimensions: 25.4 cm x 30.5 cm
- Local Code: ARC # 1138081, Box P-D 001, 12/12/09
- Collection: Record Group 181: Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments; Administrative History of the First Naval District in World War II
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Fires
- United States. Navy
- Ocean liners
- Ships
- World War, 1939-1945
- Naval convoys
- Fire extinction--Equipment and supplies
- Wakefield (Ship)
- Manhattan (Ship)
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
National Archives at Boston380 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 663-0144
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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