Civilian Ships--Havana (American Passenger Ship, 1906)

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Photo # NH 100871: S.S. Havana, prior to World War I

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- CIVILIAN SHIPS --

S.S. Havana (American Passenger Ship, 1906)

Havana, a 6391 gross ton passenger steamship, was built in 1906 by the William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Owned by the New York & Cuba Mail Steamship Company, she operated commercially until 1917. At about that time the War Department took her over for use as a U.S. Army Transport, but she was transferred to the Navy in mid-July 1917 and, following conversion to a hospital ship, became USS Comfort in 1918. She reverted to civilian employment in about 1928, initially as S.S. Havana and later as S.S. Yucatan and S.S. Agwileon. During and shortly after World War II she served as the U.S. Army Transport Agwileon and the Army Hospital Ship Shamrock. The old ship was sold for scrapping in 1948.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning the S.S. Havana of 1906.

For additional images concerning this ship, see:

USS Comfort (1918-1925, later AH-3); and

USAT Agwileon (Army Transport, 1942-1943). Later Army Hospital Ship Shamrock (1943-1946).

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 100871

S.S. Havana (American Passenger Ship, 1906)

Photographed prior to World War I.
Initially taken over by the U.S. Army for wartime service as USAT Havana, she was acquired by the Navy on 19 July 1917 and converted to a hospital ship. Commissioned as USS Comfort on 18 March 1918, she was laid up at the Mare Island Navy Yard in 1919, stricken on 26 May 1924 and sold on 1 April 1925.

The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 535 pixels

Photo #: NH 102829

S.S. Havana (American Passenger Steamer, 1906)

In port, possibly when inspected by the Third Naval District when she was acquired for Naval service on 19 July 1917.
Following conversion to a hospital ship, this former New York & Cuba Mail Steamship Company liner was placed in commission on 18 March 1918 as USS Comfort (designated AH-3 in 1920).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 436 pixels