An old photo23:07 Aug 07 2014
Times Read: 547
Many many years ago in one my favorite hunting grounds I ran into one of my dear treasures.
I remember it being buried in a old box full of picture frames,and other paraphernalia.
It is one of the things I have managed to hold onto for a very long time proudly displayed on my living room wall.
I think it is worthy of sharing, worthy to recall it from the past. I have never seen another one even on the internet searches. I hope you will enjoy this.
____________
USS America (ID-3006)
A brief history
The USS America started life at the Harland and Wolf shipyards in Belfast Ireland. She was launched in 1905 As the SS Amerika for the Hamburg America line of Germany as a passenger liner. Up until the start of WWI She sailed the transatlantic route from Hamburg to New York.
At the beginning of WWI she was docked in Boston at the time. She sat there for 3 years until the United States entered the war. She was seized and placed into service as a troop transport for the US Navy.During this time she had her name changed to the English spelling of America. Duiring The war, she transported 40,000 or more troops to France. After the war She would be used to transport over 51,000 troops back to the United States.
In 1920 The
USS America went to several ship lines most notably the United States line,Where she did the north Atlantic route from New York to Bremen Germany.
In 1926 she had a fire while being refitted and was placed at dock for 9 more years.
In 1940 she once again went into military service.She had her named changed to the
USAT Edmund B. Alexander, and became a barracks ship but soon was once again used as troopship for World War II.
She remained in service until 1949 Where she went to the dock yard and laid waiting for her fate. In 1957 she was sold for scrap and was dismantled.
________________________
My Picture is of the USS America sometime in WWI. The Thing that gets me is not only the ship But all the soldiers on her decks. I think it was taken in New York Harbor possibly. But You can see on her masts either gun emplacements or submarine spotter stations. and in the foreground the American flag proudly flapping in the wind
 |
| The USS AMERICA And all the soldiers on her decks. |
 |
| Troops lining the decks |
I have not ever removed the picture from the frame, or removed the backing paper on it. I have no idea if there is something written on the back like so many people do, or if it is blank .
I do want to conserve this.It is stained and the top glass is broken, and has spotting. But thats the way it was when I got it almost 20 years ago.I do keep out of direct sunlight in a darker part of the living room. I hope to find some one who is capable to help save this, to restore it. Sure I fix things ..but that is waaaayyy out of my league.
 |
| Nameless soldiers on the foredeck. |
Another thing about it ..It has a special meaning to it. When I see it I think of all those nameless soldiers who went to war. I can almost in a way understand how they felt. I can't imagine what they went through, but I do have a good idea.In some way..I see them as brothers, like I see all other Veterans like me. One hundred years ago as of 28th July this year (2014) The Great World War 1 began, and this is a moment captured in time forgotten by most, but not forgotten by a few.
I hope too that this helps in some small way keep their memory alive. I hope some one will become interested and learn about this almost forgotten time.
Myth
COMMENTS
-