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Our Navy in the Great War

Front Cover, Our Navy's Part in the Great War by John Wilber Jenkins, 1919.

Front Cover, Our Navy's Part in the Great War by John Wilber Jenkins, 1919. GGA Image ID # 184c84ca1d

Based on the Booklet "Our Navy's Part in the Great War" by John Wilber Jenkins, this section organizes the content and supplements the text with additional photographs to help tell the US Navy's story in World War 1.

Greatest United States Naval Fleet Ever Assembled in American Waters.

2,000 Vessels in Service When War Ended

The growth of the Navy in ships and personnel was phenomenal. When the war began, there were 364 vessels on the naval list, of which 20 were listed as unserviceable for war purposes.

The Converted Yacht USS Alcedo SP-166, Sunk by German Submarine UC-71, 75 Miles Southwest of Brest, France.

Alcedo Sunk by Torpedo - 1917

On November 5, the converted yacht Alcedo (SP 166), which had been on almost constant escort duty and had rescued 117 survivors of the Antilles when that vessel was torpedoed, was sunk by enemy submarine while escorting a convoy from Quiberon.

American Fleet in Atlantic Waters That Has Upheld Navy Traditions.

American Naval Fleet Sent Over There - 1919

Submarines had been successfully used by the British against enemy U-boats, and in the autumn of 1917, American submarines were sent abroad to co-operate with the British forces.

The USS Casin (DD-43) on Maneuvers circa 1916. Naval History and Heritage Command NH 76057.

"Cassin," Hit by Torpedo, Saved by Quick Action - 1917

The Cassin was struck by a torpedo on 15 October 1917 but was taken to port and repaired. But one man was killed, Gunner's Mate Osmond K. Ingram, who gave his life to save the ship.

U-Boat U-65 Submerged and Preparing to Fire Torpedo at a Ship in an Allied Convoy.

German U-Boats on American Coast - 1918

From the beginning, it was realized by the American naval authorities that Germany could at any time send her submarines across the Atlantic, and patrol vessels in home waters were constantly on the lookout for them.

President Wilson Reading to Congress his Famous War Message on April 2, 1917.

Our Navy in the Great War

On April 6, 1917, the day President Wilson, in accordance with the resolution of Congress, declared the existence of a state of war with Germany, Secretary Daniels sent out the order for the mobilization of the Fleet.

American Dreadnoghts, The Embodiment of Sea Power.

US Naval Fleet in the Great War

By January 1, 1918, there were 113 United States naval vessels across, and in October 1918, the total had reached 338 ships of all classes.

Josephus Daniels and Staff. Left to Right—Admiral Griffin, Admiral Taylor, Mr. Daniels, Admiral Earle, Commander Foote.

US Navy - Our First Line of Defense - 1919

In the war, the Navy was called upon to undertake many novel and untried tasks, but whenever any new and difficult duty was imposed, the entire service, from admirals to apprentice seamen, responded with enthusiasm.

Soldiers on Deck of the USS Madawaska Awaiting Their Turn to Go Ashore.

US Navy's Growth and Expansion During the Great War

The Naval Overseas Transportation Service, which was organized in January 1918 to carry supplies and munitions to the American forces abroad, grew in ten months to a fleet of 321 cargo-carrying ships aggregating 2,800,000 dead-weight tons.

A United States Battleship and Submarines Ready for Action.

US Navy Ship Construction Program

Secretary Daniels announced in 1917 that the entire war-building program of the Navy embraced nearly a thousand ships. Most of the vessels authorized by the three-year program of 1916 were contracted for early in 1917.

 

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The Folks Behind the GG Archives

The GG Archives is the work and passion of two people, Paul Gjenvick, a professional archivist, and Evelyne Gjenvick, a curator. Paul earned a Masters of Archival Studies - a terminal degree from Clayton State University in Georgia, where he studied under renowned archivist Richard Pearce-Moses. Our research into the RMS Laconia and SS Bergensfjord, the ships that brought two members of the Gjønvik family from Norway to the United States in the early 20th century, has helped us design our site for other genealogists. The extent of original materials at the GG Archives can be very beneficial when researching your family's migration from Europe.