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UNITED STATES NAVY
TEMPORARY AUXILIARY SHIPS
WORLD WAR I

Photo # NH 55241: SS City of Paris at anchor, circa the late 1880s or the early 1890s


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

City of Paris (British Passenger Liner, 1889).
Renamed Paris in 1893 and Philadelphia in 1901.
Was USS Yale in 1898 and USS Harrisburg (ID # 1663) in 1918-1919

The steamship City of Paris, a 10,499 gross ton twin screw passenger liner, was built at Glasgow, Scotland. Completed in 1889, she soon began a series of record trans-Atlantic passages, earning the "Blue Ribband" for fast passenger service. She was transferred to the U.S. flag in 1893 and renamed Paris, but remained active on the passenger route between the U.S. and England. During the 1898 Spanish-American War she was under charter to the U.S. Navy, serving as USS Yale. Following the conflict she returned to commercial work as Paris.

While westbound on 21 May 1899, Paris ran on the rocks in western Britain. Refloated after a major salvage effort, the badly damaged ship was rebuilt at Belfast, Ireland, receiving new engines and having her triple smokestacks replaced by a pair of taller ones. Renamed Philadelphia, she resumed North Atlantic passenger service. After the United States entered World War I in 1917 she was used as a transport, carrying U.S. troops to Europe. This important duty continued in 1918, when the U.S. Navy took her over and renamed her Harrisburg. Returned to her owners in September 1919 and again named Philadelphia, she once more was employed carrying passengers between America, Britain and France. By now very elderly and old-fashioned, in 1922 the ship was purchased by new owners, who planned to use her in the Mediterranean. However, financial problems stopped Philadelphia at Naples, Italy, where she remained until sold for scrapping in 1923.

This page features all available views of the passenger liner City of Paris, Paris and Philadelphia, and provides links to pictures of her while in U.S. Navy service.

For pictures of this ship during her U.S. Navy service, see:

  • USS Yale (1898). Later USS Harrisburg (ID # 1663), 1918-1919.


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

    Photo #: NH 55241

    SS City of Paris     (British Passenger Liner, 1889)

    At anchor, circa the late 1880s or the early 1890s.
    This ship, a trans-Atlantic Blue Ribband winner when new, was transferred to American registry and renamed Paris in 1893. She served as USS Yale in 1898. Rebuilt and renamed Philadelphia in 1901, she again had Navy service in 1918-1919, as USS Harrisburg (ID # 1663).

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 535 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99070

    SS Philadelphia     (American Passenger Liner, 1889)

    Probably photographed prior to World War I.
    This ship served as USS Harrisburg (ID # 1663) in 1918-1919.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Carl T. Osburn.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53633

    SS Philadelphia     (American Passenger Liner, 1889)

    Underway in harbor, prior to World War I.
    Previously named City of Paris, and Paris, this ship served two times in the U.S. Navy: as USS Yale in 1898; and as USS Harrisburg (ID # 1663) in 1918-1919.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 51KB; 740 x 295 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53635

    SS Philadelphia     (American Passenger Liner, 1889)

    Painted in camouflage in 1917, while operating as a troop transport.
    This ship served as USS Harrisburg (ID # 1663) in 1918-1919.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 570 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103159

    S.S. Philadelphia     (American Passenger Liner. Originally the British S.S. City of Paris of 1889)

    At Naples, Italy, in July 1922.
    This ship served as USS Yale in 1898 and as USS Harrisburg (ID # 1663) in 1918-1919.
    At the time of this photograph, Philadelphia was under Italian ownership. She was scrapped in 1923.

    Collection of Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 41711

    S.S. Philadelphia     (American Passenger Liner, 1889)

    Navy Armed Guard gun crew exercising with a 4"/40 gun mounted on board the ship, June 1917.
    The stern of another armed merchantman is in the background.
    Philadelphia served as USS Harrisburg (ID # 1663) in 1918-1919.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 575 pixels

     


    For pictures of this ship during her U.S. Navy service, see:

  • USS Yale (1898). Later USS Harrisburg (ID # 1663), 1918-1919.


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    Page made 8 January 2004
    New image added 18 November 2005