SS Finland

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SS Finland (1902)
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Finland in New York Harbor 1906
History
United States
NameSS Finland
NamesakeFinland
Operator
Port of registry
  • United States New York (1902-08)
  • Belgium Antwerp (1908-11)
  • United States New York (1911-28)
BuilderWilliam Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia
Yard number312
Launched21 June 1902
Fatechartered by War Department for the U.S. Army
United States
NameUSS Finland (ID-4543)
Acquired24 April 1918
Commissioned26 April 1918
Decommissioned15 November 1919
Stricken15 November 1919
FateTransferred to War Department, 15 November 1919; returned to Red Star Line
General characteristics
Displacement22,400 (full)
Length580 ft (180 m)
Beam60 ft 2 in (18.34 m)
Draft31 ft 4 in (9.55 m)
Propulsion2 ×
triple-expansion steam engines, twin screw propellors
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement414
Armament
  • 4 × 4-inch (100 mm) guns
  • 2 ×
    1-pounder gun

SS Finland was an American-flagged ocean liner built in 1902 for the Red Star Line. During World War I she served as a transport for the United States Navy named USS Finland (ID-4543). Before her Navy service in 1917, she was also USAT Finland for the United States Army.

SS Finland sailed for several subsidiary lines of

American Olympic Committee to take the U.S. team to the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm
, Sweden.

At the entry of the United States into World War I in April 1917, the liner was chartered by the

Armistice
, she returned over 32,000 troops to the United States before being decommissioned in September 1919.

After her Navy service ended, she was returned to International Mercantile Marine, resumed her original name of SS Finland, and served on New York to Europe routes until 1923, when she returned to New York–San Francisco service. Finland was scrapped in 1928.

Launching and early career

Finland was launched on 21 June 1902 by

triple expansion steam engines drove twin screw propellers that moved her at 15 knots (28 km/h). She accommodated 342 passengers in first class, 194 in second class, and 626 in third class.[1]

The second-class smoking room aboard Finland, c. 1909
SS Finland underway in a U.S. port before World War I.

Finland sailed on her maiden voyage from New York to Antwerp on 4 October under the American flag, and remained on this route for the next seven years.[1] In November 1907, as the liner neared Antwerp, a gale in the English Channel almost drove Finland ashore. The timely assistance of two tugs kept the big ship from grounding on the breakwater at Dover.[2] By January 1909, Finland had been reflagged under the Belgian flag, but remained on the New York–Antwerp route.[1]

On 19 January 1908, Finland collided with the Greek cargo ship SS Epirus off Terneuzen, sinking Epirus.[3] In March 1909, the liner was chartered to the White Star Line, another IMM subsidiary, for three round-trip voyages between Naples and New York.[1] On 25 December 1910, she rammed and sank the SS Baltique which was anchored in the Flushing Roads sheltering from a storm. Six crew were lost from Baltique.[3] Returning to the Red Star Line's New York–Antwerp service, Finland was reflagged in January 1912, sailing under the American flag once again.[1] During this time, noted German-American psychologist Hugo Münsterberg sailed on Finland to Europe to attend a Psychological Congress in Berlin in April 1912.[4]

1912 Olympics

The

American Olympic Committee (AOC) chartered Finland—after a proposal for sailing on Oceanic was rejected—to take the American team to the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm.[5] After setting aside rooms for all the team members, additional space aboard the ship was sold for the benefit of the AOC.[6] The delegation of 164 athletes left New York at 09:30 on 14 June.[7] Finland's dining rooms were divided during the voyage, so that the athletes on board would have "their own cuisine" and not be tempted to partake in "promiscuous indulgence in the great variety of food" on the ship.[8]

The AOC, aided by Finland's crew,[9] made several accommodations for shipboard training en route to the Games. A cork track, 100 yards (91 m) long and wide enough for two men running abreast, was installed on the top deck, especially for the sprinters.[8] Longer distance runners would practice their starts on the track, and train by running laps around the deck, which was about one-tenth of a mile (160 m) for one circuit.[10] Swimmers practiced in a canvas tank, 15 feet (4.6 m) long by 5 feet (1.5 m) wide, constructed on deck. While practicing their strokes, they would wear a belt suspended from an overhead rope that kept them in the middle of the tank.[10] The cycling team worked on the forward deck with bikes secured to the ship's structure.[11]

Some of the individual athletes came up with ideas to further their training while at sea.

after deck, practicing for hours each day.[11]

Finland arrived at Antwerp on the morning of 24 June after a ten-day voyage over smooth seas. While the ship took on stores, the athletes completed their training at a local athletic club. Sailing at noon on 26 June, Finland reached Sweden four days later.[9] There were no injuries during the entirety of the voyage,[8] and, unlike the trip of the next American Olympic delegation in 1920[12]—when the so-called "Mutiny of the Matoika" took place—no threats of a strike because of bad conditions aboard the ship.

World War I

After her Olympic charter ended, Finland returned to her usual New York–Antwerp route until the outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914.[1] The Red Star liner, still sailing from New York, shifted to call at Liverpool beginning 22 August for two roundtrips. Next moved to Mediterranean service, Finland sailed from New York to Naples and Piraeus starting in November 1914. To complete her third and final circuit to the Mediterranean, she began her last voyage from Italy back to New York on 24 March 1915.[1]

By early May, Finland and sister ship Kroonland had both been chartered to the IMM subsidiary

San Diego on both eastbound and westbound trips.[13]

Finland was next chartered to the

Naval Armed Guard
.

On 18 December 1916, during an eastbound journey, Finland was halted by a French warship. According to Marjorie Crocker, an American woman headed for refugee work in Paris, the cruiser had fired a shot across the bow of Finland, and then queried the officers of the liner. After allowing Finland to go on her way, the French ship circled around several times, then headed off first in one direction and then another, as if, according to Crocker, it were searching for something.[14]

King George V (center foreground, with beard) inspects gun crews aboard Finland in Liverpool on 15 May 1917.[15]

Finland was still in New York–Liverpool service when the United States declared war on the German Empire in April 1917. The United States Army, needing transports to get its men and materiel to France, had a select committee of shipping executives pore over registries of American shipping. On 28 May, the committee selected Finland and thirteen other American-flagged ships that were sufficiently fast, could carry enough coal in their bunkers for transatlantic crossings, and, most importantly, were in port or not far at sea.[16][17] After Finland discharged her last load of passengers, she was officially handed over to the Army at noon on 2 June, the last of the fourteen ships acquired.[18]

U.S. Army service

USS Finland (ID-4543) arrives at Newport News, Virginia, with returning U.S. troops in 1919.
USS Finland (ID-4543) arrives at Newport News, Virginia, with returning U.S. troops in 1919.

Before any troop transportation could be undertaken, all of the ships had to be hastily refitted—in two weeks in the case of Finland. Of the fourteen ships, ten, including Finland, were designated to carry human passengers; the other four were designated as animal ships. The ten ships designated to carry troops had to have all of their second- and third-class accommodations ripped out and replaced with berths for troops. Cooking and toilet facilities had to be greatly expanded to handle the large numbers of men aboard. Finland, uniquely among the fourteen ships, already carried guns and did not need to be refitted for them.[19] All the ships were manned by merchant officers and crews but carried two U.S. Navy officers, Navy gun crews, quartermasters, signalmen, and wireless operators. The senior Navy officer on board would take control if a ship came under attack.[20]

The American convoy carrying the AEF was broken into four groups;

Cyclops, and destroyers Allen, Preston, and McCall.[23] The headquarters detachment and six companies (of a total of 12) of the 18th Infantry Regiment embarked on Finland at New York.[24] The ship, under the command of U.S. Navy Commander S. V. Graham,[25] departed with her group on 14 June for Brest, France, steaming at a comfortable 13-knot (24 km/h) pace.[26] A thwarted submarine attack on the first convoy group,[27] and reports of heavy submarine activity off of Brest resulted in a change in the convoy's destination to Saint-Nazaire.[28]

After returning to the United States, Finland 's next convoy crossing began on 6 August in the company of

San Diego.[29] According to Crowell and Wilson, the 8th group was "destined to misfortune". Three days out from New York, Lenape developed engine trouble and was compelled to return to port, but the rest of the convoy proceeded on and arrived in France on 7 October.[31] Henderson was the only ship to return to the United States without incident.[32] On 17 October, Antilles was torpedoed by U-105,[33] sinking in 612 minutes with the loss of 67 out of the 234 men on board.[34]

USS Wakiva II (far right) pick up survivors from USAT Finland (center background) after she was struck by a torpedo from U-93
Workers pose by the torpedo damage to Finland in drydock at Brest
, France.

Finland began her return journey to the United States on 28 October in an 11-knot (20 km/h) convoy with cargo ships Buford and City of Savannah and escorted by

list, it did not increase and Graham was able to steer a course back to Brest, anchoring there the next morning. Men aboard the prematurely launched lifeboats were rounded up by Wakiva II and Alcedo and returned to Brest.[35] Nine men,[37] including three of the Naval Armed Guard detachment,[38] two soldiers and four crew[39]
perished in the attack.

In the aftermath of the torpedoing incident, Commander Graham was awarded the

Chief Boatswain's Mate John P. Doyle, on Alcedo, was issued a letter of commendation for commanding a whaleboat that pulled a number of men from Finland from the water.[42]

The deportment of the crew aboard Finland, as well as that of Antilles, while under attack demonstrated the problems with civilian-manned vessels. The Navy, led by the recommendations of Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves, insisted that all troop transports be manned entirely by Navy personnel. This was accomplished soon after so as to avoid the need for what Gleaves called "ignorant and unreliable men" who were "the sweepings of the docks".[35]

Finland was sufficiently repaired over the next two months and sailed for return to the United States on 5 January 1918.

Pueblo.[43] After safely reaching Saint-Nazaire, Finland discharged her passengers and cargo that included 13,910 pounds (6,310 kg) of frozen beef for the AEF.[44] On 27 February, one day after departing, Finland's steering gear jammed, forcing her into the path of Henderson. That ship was able to maneuver such that Finland only dealt her a glancing blow. Finland suffered only superficial damage; Henderson was holed below the waterline, but her crew took advantage of unusually calm February seas to repair the damage, and were soon able to proceed to New York.[45] Finland and President Lincoln arrived back at New York on 16 March.[43]

Finland made one more crossing under Army charter. Leaving New York on 23 March, she convoyed with

El Occidente, Martha Washington, and cruiser Pueblo, arriving in France on 4 April. Finland returned to New York on 24 April,[46] and was delivered to the U.S. Navy the same day.[47]

U.S. Navy service

Finland was

Matsonia, Manchuria, and Kroonland. Rendezvousing with the convoy were two transports sailing from Newport News, Virginia, Martha Washington and Powhatan. South Dakota provided the convoy with protection until its arrival in France on 12 May. Finland and Manchuria both returned to New York on 30 May.[48]

Finland next left New York on 15 June with

Fairfax;[50] battleship Texas and several other destroyers joined in escort duties for the group for a time.[49] The convoy had a false alarm when a floating barrel was mistaken for submarine, but otherwise uneventfully arrived at Brest on the afternoon of 27 June.[50][51] Finland and Kroonland arrived back at New York on 13 July.[50] Covington was not so fortunate. On her return journey, she was torpedoed by U-86 on 1 July, and sank the next afternoon.[52]

foremast
while the ship was underway at sea, c. 1918–19.

On 26 July, Finland, loaded with 3,879 officers and men,

Huntington, and destroyers Rathburne and Colhoun ushered the transports to France, where they arrived on 7 August.[55] Finland arrived back in the United States on 25 August.[54]

After embarking 3,678 troops,

Calamares, Powhatan, and steamer Ulua. Finland 's New York group met up with a Virginia group of Navy transports Aeolus and Koningen der Nederlanden, and steamers Patria and Kursk. Escorts New Hampshire, Pueblo, St. Louis, Stribling, Stringham, and Hopkins helped to ensure the safe arrival of all ships in France on 28 September. Martha Washington and Pocahontas accompanied Finland on her return journey and arrived at New York on 12 October.[57]

Finland began one last transatlantic crossing before the

Czaritza and Armaugh with battleship Georgia on 4 November and arrived in France on 15 November, four days after the end of hostilities.[58] In all, Finland transported 12,654 troops to France on her five Navy crossings.[59]

As the flow of troops was reversed to bring American troops home, Finland made 8 round trips from Europe to the United States, returning 32,197 personnel to the United States.

3d Naval District and on 15 November decommissioned and delivered to the War Department,[47] and, eventually, to the Red Star Line.[1]

Postwar career

After a refurbishment that outfitted her for 242 first-class, 310 second-class, and 876 third-class passengers, Finland resumed her civilian career in April 1920. The liner, sailing opposite her sister ship Kroonland, returned to her original route when she departed Antwerp on 28 April for

California and Virginia joined the Panama Pacific fleet in 1928, Finland and Kroonland were no longer needed and both were scrapped;[1] Finland by Hughes Bolckow Shipbreaking Ltd at Blyth, Northumberland. She arrived for breaking on 28 April 1928.[3] Kroonland was scrapped at Genoa.[1]

In 1925,

Harold S. Vanderbilt devised the game of contract bridge while on board Finland.[60]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Bonsor, p. 856.
  2. ^ Carson, p. 9.
  3. ^ a b c "Belgian Merchant A-G" (PDF). Belgische Koopvaardij. Retrieved 30 September 2010.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Münsterberg, p. 228.
  5. ^ Sullivan, p. 33.
  6. ^ Sullivan, p. 246.
  7. ^ Halpin, p. 237.
  8. ^ a b c Sullivan, p. 37.
  9. ^ a b Halpin, p. 239.
  10. ^ a b c Sullivan, p. 39.
  11. ^ a b Sullivan, p. 41.
  12. ^ The 1916 Summer Olympics, slated for Berlin, were canceled because of World War I.
  13. ^ Panama Pacific Line (22 May 1915). Panama Pacific Line Passenger List. p. 2. Convenience copy of relevant page can be found here Archived 25 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
  14. ^ Root and Crocker, p. 42–43.
  15. ^ "King George V visits Finland troop ship Liverpool 1917". The Washington Post. 16 May 1917. p. 3.
  16. ^ Sharpe, p. 359.
  17. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 313–14.
  18. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 315–16.
  19. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 316.
  20. ^ Gleaves, p. 102
  21. ^ The individual groups of the first convoy were typically counted as separate convoys in post-war sources. See, for example, Crowell and Wilson, Appendix G, p. 603.
  22. Henry R. Mallory
    was also referred to in sources as both H. R. Mallory and Mallory.
  23. ^ Gleaves, p. 38.
  24. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 23–24.
  25. ^ Gleaves, p. 34.
  26. ^ Gleaves, p. 42.
  27. ^ Gleaves, pp. 42–43.
  28. ^ Gleaves, p. 45.
  29. ^ a b c d Crowell and Wilson, p. 603.
  30. ^ Benson, p. 221.
  31. ^ Gleaves, p. 102.
  32. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 428.
  33. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit during WWI: Antilles". The U-boat War. Uboat.net. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  34. ^ Gleaves, p. 106.
  35. ^ a b c d Gleaves, p. 108–110.
  36. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit during WWI: Finland". The U-boat War. Uboat.net. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  37. Naval Historical Center
    . 7 March 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  38. ^ Bureau of Naval Personnel, Officers and Enlisted Men..., pp. 354, 359, 369.
  39. ^ "Eight on Finland Lost Their Lives". Evening Star (Washington DC). Part 1. 3 November 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 12 March 2015.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  40. ^ Stringer, p. 26.
  41. ^ Stringer, p. 67.
  42. ^ Stringer, p. 192.
  43. ^ a b Crowell and Wilson, p. 605.
  44. ^ United States Army Quartermaster Corps, Cold Storage Branch, p. 35.
  45. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 431.
  46. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 606.
  47. ^ a b c "Finland". DANFS. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  48. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 608.
  49. ^ a b Cutchins and Stewart, p. 67.
  50. ^ a b c d Crowell and Wilson, p. 610–11.
  51. ^ Cutchins and Stewart, p. 68.
  52. ^ "Covington". DANFS. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
  53. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 555.
  54. ^ a b Crowell and Wilson, p. 614.
  55. USS Calhoun ever was a former Confederate steamer captured during the American Civil War
    .
  56. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 559.
  57. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 617.
  58. ^ Crowell and Wilson, p. 620.
  59. ^ a b Gleaves, p. 246–47.
  60. ^ "The BLML–SS Finland Challenge". World Bridge Federation. 31 October 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2016.

References

External links