Bessie J. (Id.No. 1919)
1918-1919
The Navy retained the name carried by this craft at the time of her acquisition.
(Id.No. 1919: capacity 390 (gross register tons) length 144'10"; breadth 30'2"; draft (mean) 11'6")
Bessie J., a wooden-hulled barge built in Camden, Maine, was inspected in the First Naval District on 30 September 1917; ordered taken over on 6 March 1918; acquired by the Navy from the Boston Tow Boat Co. on 9 March 1918, and given the identification number [Id.No.] 1919.
Her name cancelled, the barge was later redesignated as Coal Barge No. 512. and operated with that designation. Ultimately, ex-Bessie J., and ex-Coal Barge No. 512 was sold to Denton Shore Lumber Co., Tampa, Florida, on 7 September 1920.
Robert J. Cressman
15 February 2006
