USS Naiwa (SP-3512), was a cargo ship of the United States Navy in commission from 1918 to 1919.

USS Naiwa (ID-3512) probably shortly after her completion in late 1918.
History
United States
NameUSS Naiwa
NamesakePrevious name retained
BuilderBaltimore Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Baltimore, Maryland
Launched4 July 1918
Acquired10 September 1918
CompletedOctober 1918
Commissioned4 November 1918
Decommissioned9 May 1919
Fate
NotesWas SS Naiwa 1918 and 1919–1929
General characteristics
TypeCargo ship
Tonnage6,240 GRT
Displacement12,260 long tons (12,457 t) normal
Length423 ft 9 in (129.16 m)
Beam54 ft (16 m)
Draft24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
Speed10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph)
Complement85
Armament
  • 1 × 5 in (127 mm) gun
  • 1 × 4 in (102 mm) gun

Construction, acquisition, and commissioning

edit

Naiwa was laid down as the commercial cargo ship SS Naiwa by the Baltimore Shipbuilding and Drydock Company at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1918 for the United States Shipping Board. Launched on 4 July 1918, she was turned over to the U.S. Navy on 10 September 1918 and completed in October 1918. Assigned the naval registry identification number 3512, she was commissioned at Baltimore on 4 November 1918 as USS Naiwa (ID-3512).

Operational history

edit
 
USS Naiwa's ship's company at Naval Operating Base Hampton Roads, 1919

Naiwa was assigned to Naval Overseas Transportation Service on a United States Army account. After refitting for naval service, Naiwa cleared Baltimore Harbor on 27 November 1918 with a general cargo for France, but was forced to turn back because of jammed steering gear. Following extensive repairs in drydock, she steamed from Norfolk, Virginia, on 8 March 1919 to again attempt a transatlantic crossing, and this time arrived at La Pallice, France, on 23 March 1919. She then went on to Bordeaux, where she discharged her cargo.

Naiwa cleared Bordeaux on 12 April 1919 and steamed to Brest, where she took on a cargo of 7,130 tons of German guns and gun parts, then departed for Norfolk, Virginia. She arrived at Norfolk on 2 May 1919.

Decommissioning and disposal

edit

Naiwa she was decommissioned on 9 May 1919 and returned to the U.S. Shipping Board the same day. She remained in the custody of the Shipping Board as SS Naiwa until she was scrapped in 1929.

References

edit
edit