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{{short description|United States transport ship}}
{{otherships|USS Covington}}
{{other ships|USS Covington}}
{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox Ship Image

|Ship image=[[File:USS Covington (ID-1409).jpg|300px]]
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
|Ship caption=USS ''Covington'' (ID-1409) at the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= USS Covington (ID-1409).jpg
|Ship caption= USS ''Covington'' at [[Boston Navy Yard]]
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=
|Ship flag=
|Ship name= *1908: ''Cincinnati''
*1917: ''Covington''
|Ship namesake= *1908: [[Cincinnati]]
*1917: [[Covington, Kentucky]]
|Ship owner= *1908: [[File:HAPAG-Reeedereiflagge alt.jpg|23px]] [[Hamburg America Line|HAPAG]]
*1917: [[United States Shipping Board|US Shipping Board]]
|Ship operator=
|Ship registry= *1908: {{flagicon|German Empire}} [[Port of Hamburg|Hamburg]]
*1917: {{flagicon|United States|1912}}
|Ship route= *1909: Hamburg – [[Cherbourg-en-Cotentin|Cherbourg]] – [[New York City|New York]]
*1910: [[Port of Genoa|Genoa]] – [[Port of Naples|Naples]] – New York
*1914: Hamburg – [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]] – [[Port of Southampton|Southampton]] – [[Port of Boston|Boston]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder= [[Schichau-Werke|F. Schichau]], [[Gdańsk|Danzig]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched= 24 July 1908
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship completed=
|Ship maiden voyage= 27 May 1909
|Ship acquired= 26 July 1917
|Ship commissioned= 28 July 1917
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship identification= *1913: [[Wireless telegraphy|wireless]] [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] DDC
*1917: ID-1408
|Ship fate= Torpedoed 1 July 1918, then sank during her towing
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship country=U.S. Navy
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1918}}
|Ship class=
|Ship name=USS ''Covington'' (ID-1408)
|Ship type=
|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|16,339}}, {{NRT|9,733}}
|Ship namesake=[[Covington, Kentucky]]
|Ship displacement=
|Ship builder=[[F. Schichau]]<br>[[Danzig]], [[Germany]]
|Ship laid down=
|Ship length= {{cvt|183.9|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{cvt|19.9|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship launched=1908
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship draught=
|Ship christened=
|Ship depth=
|Ship completed=
|Ship decks=
|Ship acquired=26 July 1917
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion= *as built: 2 × [[Propeller|screws]],
|Ship commissioned=28 July 1917
*2 × [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|quadruple expansion engines]]
|Ship fate=torpedoed by [[Unterseeboot 86 (1916)|''U-86'']]
|Ship speed= {{convert|16|kn|km/h}}
}}
|Ship capacity= *passengers, 1908:
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
|Ship class=
*246 first class
*332 second class
|Ship type=
*448 third class
|Ship tonnage=
*1,801 steerage
|Ship displacement=9,733 tons
|Ship crew= as [[troopship]]: 776
|Ship length={{convert|608|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|65|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship armament= 4 × {{convert|6|in|mm|adj=on}} guns
|Ship draft=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship notes= [[sister ship]]: {{SS|Cleveland||2}}
|Ship propulsion=
|Ship speed={{convert|16|knots|km/h}}
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=776
|Ship armament=4 × {{convert|6|in|mm|adj=on}} guns
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
|}
|}
'''USS ''Covington'' (ID-1409)''' was a [[transport]] for the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War I]]. Prior to the war the ship, built in 1908 in Germany, was '''SS ''Cincinnati''''' of the [[Hamburg America Line]]. The transport was torpedoed by [[Unterseeboot 86 (1916)|''U-86'']] on 1 July 1918 and sank the next day with six men killed.
== History ==
''Covington'', named after the city of [[Covington, Kentucky|Covington]], [[Kentucky]], was built in 1908 by [[F. Schichau]], [[Danzig]], [[Germany]], as ''Cincinnati''.; interned by customs officials at [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] upon the entry of the United States into World War I


'''USS ''Covington'' (ID-1409)''' was a [[German Empire|German]] [[Transatlantic crossing|transatlantic]] [[ocean liner]] that was launched in 1908 for the [[Hamburg America Line]] (HAPAG) as '''''Cincinnati'''''. In 1917 the [[United States]] seized her, had her converted into a [[Troopship|troop ship]] and renamed her ''Covington''. In 1918 {{SMU|U-86}} torpedoed her, killing six of her [[Ship's company|complement]]. Three tugs towed her about 1/3 the way to Brest, but she sank the afternoon of 2 July 1918.
At the outbreak of World War I, ''Cincinnati'' was interned in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] with Hamburg America line-mate {{SS|Amerika||2}}; [[North German Lloyd]] steamers {{SS|Kronprinzessin Cecilie||2}}, {{SS|Köln|1899|2}}, {{SS|Wittekind||2}}, and {{SS|Willehad||2}}; and [[Hansa Line]] freighter {{SS|Ockenfels||2}}. In March 1916, all except ''Kronprinzessin Cecilie'' and ''Ockenfels'' were moved from their waterfront piers to an anchorage across the harbor from the [[Boston Navy Yard]]. Daily "neutrality duty" by [[United States Coast Guard]] [[tug|harbor tug]] {{USCGC|Winnisimmet|WYT-84|2}} kept a watchful eye on the ships. Many crew members of the ships eventually went ashore, were processed through immigration, and found employment, while a contingent of musicians from the vessels toured [[New England]], frequently playing at department stores and restaurants, and drawing the ire of the local musicians' union.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/270041872.html?FMT=AI&dids=270041872:270041872&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+4%2C+1916&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor++(1908-Current+file)&desc=HEAVY+TONNAGE+IN+GERMAN+STEAMERS+TIED+UP+IN+BOSTON | format = fee | title = Heavy tonnage in German steamers tied up in Boston | work = [[The Christian Science Monitor]] | date = 1916-03-04 | accessdate = 2008-03-28 | page = 18 }}</ref> After the U.S. declared war on Germany, ''Cincinnati'' and the other interned ships were seized on 6 April 1917 and handed over to the [[United States Shipping Board]] (USSB).<ref name=Drechsel-p159>Drechsel, V. I, p. 159</ref>


==Building and peacetime career==
[[File:USS Covington (ID-1409) sinking.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Sinking of USS ''Covington'' (ID-1409) off Brest, France.]]
[[Schichau-Werke|F Schichau]] built ''Cincinnati'' at [[Gdańsk|Danzig]], launching her on 24 July 1908.<ref name=Maxim>{{cite web |url=http://www.schiffe-maxim.de/cincinatti.htm|title=Cincinnati (1908–1918) |work=Hamburg-Amerikanische-Paketfahrt-Aktiengesellschaft (H.A.P.A.G.) |language=de |access-date=24 February 2021 }}</ref> Two months later she was joined by a sister ship, {{SS|Cleveland||2}}, built by [[Blohm+Voss|Blohm & Voss]] in [[Hamburg]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.schiffe-maxim.de/Cleveland.htm |title=Cleveland (1909–1933) |work=Hamburg-Amerikanische-Paketfahrt-Aktiengesellschaft (H.A.P.A.G.) |language=de |access-date=24 February 2021}}</ref>
The ship was transferred to the Navy 26 July 1917; and commissioned 28 July 1917, [[Captain (U.S. Navy)|Captain]] R. D. Hasbrouck in command. Between 18 October 1917 and 1 July 1918, ''Covington'' made six voyages from [[Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken]], [[New Jersey]], to [[Brest, France|Brest]], [[France]], safely transporting more than 21,000&nbsp;troops for service with the [[American Expeditionary Force]]. On 1 July 1918 she was torpedoed without warning by the German submarine ''U-86'' off Brest; she sank the next day despite efforts to save her. The convoy escorts succeeded in rescuing all but six of her complement of 776.


''Cincinnati'' was {{cvt|183.9|m|abbr=on}} long and her [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] was {{cvt|19.9|m|abbr=on}}. Her [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|16339}}<ref name=Maxim/> and {{NRT|9733}}.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} She had berths for 2,827 passengers: 246 first class, 332 second class, 448 third class and 1,801 steerage.
== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}


''Cincinnati'' had twin [[Propeller|screws]], each driven by a [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|quadruple expansion steam engine]]. They gave her a speed of {{convert|16|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=Maxim/>
== References ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book | last = Drechsel | first = Edwin | title = Norddeutscher Lloyd, Bremen, 1857–1970: History, Fleet, Ship Mails | location = Vancouver, British Columbia | publisher = Cordillera Pub. Co. | year = 1994 | isbn = 978-1-895590-08-1 | oclc = 30357825 }}
* {{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c14/covington-ii.htm}}
{{Refend}}


''Cincinnati'' began her maiden voyage from [[Port of Hamburg|Hamburg]] via [[Cherbourg-en-Cotentin|Cherbourg]] to [[New York City|New York]] on 27 May 1909. From 4 April 1910 until 2 April 1913 her route was [[Port of Genoa|Genoa]] – [[Port of Naples|Naples]] – New York.<ref name=Maxim/>
== External links ==

* {{navsource|12/171409|Covington}}
By 1913 ''Cincinnati'' was equipped for [[wireless telegraphy]]. Her [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] was DDC.{{sfn|The Marconi Press Agency Ltd|1913|p=235}}

==First World War==
On 28 July 1914, the day the [[World War I|First World War]] began, ''Cincinnati'' left Hamburg for [[Port of Boston]] via [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]] and [[Port of Southampton|Southampton]]. At Boston the [[United States Customs Service]] interned her along with the HAPAG liner ''[[USS America (ID-3006)|Amerika]]'', [[Norddeutscher Lloyd]] liners {{SS|Kronprinzessin Cecilie|1906|2}}, ''[[USS Amphion (ID-1888)|Köln]]'', ''[[USS Freedom (ID-3024)|Wittekind]]'' and {{SS|Willehad||2}} and [[DDG Hansa]] [[cargo ship]] ''[[USS Pequot (ID-2998)|Ockenfels]]''.

In March 1916 ''Cincinnati'', ''Amerika'', ''{{lang|de|Köln}}'', ''{{lang|de|Wittekind}}'' and ''{{lang|de|Willehad}}'' moved from their waterfront piers to an anchorage across the harbor from [[Boston Navy Yard]]. Daily "neutrality duty" by [[United States Coast Guard]] [[Tugboat|harbor tug]] {{USCGC|Winnisimmet|WYT-84|2}} kept the ships under observation. Many members of their crews eventually went ashore, were processed through immigration, and found employment, while a contingent of musicians from the vessels toured [[New England]], frequently playing at department stores and restaurants, and drawing the ire of the local musicians' union.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/270041872.html?FMT=AI&dids=270041872:270041872&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+4%2C+1916&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor++(1908-Current+file)&desc=HEAVY+TONNAGE+IN+GERMAN+STEAMERS+TIED+UP+IN+BOSTON |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130104105904/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/270041872.html?FMT=AI&dids=270041872:270041872&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+4,+1916&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor++(1908-Current+file)&desc=HEAVY+TONNAGE+IN+GERMAN+STEAMERS+TIED+UP+IN+BOSTON |url-status= dead |archive-date= 4 January 2013 |url-access=subscription |title=Heavy tonnage in German steamers tied up in Boston |newspaper=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] |date=4 March 1916 |access-date=28 March 2008 |page=18}}</ref>

On 6 April 1917 the United States declared war on Germany. The US authorities seized the German ships and vested them in the [[United States Shipping Board]].{{sfn|Drechsel|1994|p=159}} On 26 July ''Cincinnati'' was transferred to the [[United States Navy]], and two days later she was commissioned as USS ''Covington'', named after [[Covington, Kentucky]].

[[File:USS Covington (ID-1409) sinking.jpg|thumb|USS ''Covington'' sinking off Brest]]
From 18 October 1917, ''Covington'' made six voyages from [[Hoboken, New Jersey]], to [[Brest, France]], taking more than 21,000 troops for service with the [[American Expeditionary Force]]. On 1 July 1918 ''U-86'' torpedoed her off Brest. Six of her crew were killed, but her [[Ocean escort|escorts]] rescued 770. ''Covington'' remained afloat, and was towed about 50 miles toward Brest, but sank the afternoon of 2 July 1918.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c14/covington-ii.htm}}
*{{cite book |last=Drechsel |first=Edwin |year=1994 |title=Norddeutscher Lloyd, Bremen, 1857–1970: History, Fleet, Ship Mails |place=Vancouver, BC |publisher=Cordillera Publishing |isbn=978-1-895590-08-1 |oclc=30357825}}
*{{cite book |author=The Marconi Press Agency Ltd |author-link=Marconi Company |year=1913 |title=The Year Book of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony |place=London |publisher=The St Katherine Press}}

==External links==
*{{navsource|12/171409|Covington}}
{{coord|47|24|N|07|44|W|display=title}}
{{coord|47|24|N|07|44|W|display=title}}

{{July 1918 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Covington (ID-1409)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Covington (ID-1409)}}
[[Category:1908 ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1918]]
[[Category:Ocean liners]]
[[Category:Ocean liners]]
[[Category:Ships of the Hamburg America Line]]
[[Category:Ships built in Danzig]]
[[Category:Ships built in Danzig]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines]]
[[Category:Ships built by Schichau]]
[[Category:United States Navy Kentucky-related ships]]
[[Category:Ships of the Hamburg America Line]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War I]]
[[Category:Steamships of Germany]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United States]]
[[Category:Transports of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Transports of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:World War I auxiliary ships of the United States]]
[[Category:World War I auxiliary ships of the United States]]
[[Category:1908 ships]]
[[Category:World War I shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean]]

[[de:Cincinnati (1909)]]

Latest revision as of 06:27, 16 December 2024

For other ships with the same name, see USS Covington.

USS Covington at Boston Navy Yard
History
Name
  • 1908: Cincinnati
  • 1917: Covington
Namesake
Owner
Port of registry
Route
BuilderF. Schichau, Danzig
Launched24 July 1908
Acquired26 July 1917
Commissioned28 July 1917
Maiden voyage27 May 1909
Identification
FateTorpedoed 1 July 1918, then sank during her towing
General characteristics
Tonnage16,339 GRT, 9,733 NRT
Length183.9 m (603 ft)
Beam19.9 m (65 ft)
Propulsion
Speed16 knots (30 km/h)
Capacity
  • passengers, 1908:
  • 246 first class
  • 332 second class
  • 448 third class
  • 1,801 steerage
Crewas troopship: 776
Armament4 × 6-inch (150 mm) guns
Notessister ship: Cleveland

USS Covington (ID-1409) was a German transatlantic ocean liner that was launched in 1908 for the Hamburg America Line (HAPAG) as Cincinnati. In 1917 the United States seized her, had her converted into a troop ship and renamed her Covington. In 1918 SM U-86 torpedoed her, killing six of her complement. Three tugs towed her about 1/3 the way to Brest, but she sank the afternoon of 2 July 1918.

Building and peacetime career

[edit]

F Schichau built Cincinnati at Danzig, launching her on 24 July 1908.[1] Two months later she was joined by a sister ship, Cleveland, built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg.[2]

Cincinnati was 183.9 m (603 ft) long and her beam was 19.9 m (65 ft). Her tonnages were 16,339 GRT[1] and 9,733 NRT.[citation needed] She had berths for 2,827 passengers: 246 first class, 332 second class, 448 third class and 1,801 steerage.

Cincinnati had twin screws, each driven by a quadruple expansion steam engine. They gave her a speed of 16 knots (30 km/h).[1]

Cincinnati began her maiden voyage from Hamburg via Cherbourg to New York on 27 May 1909. From 4 April 1910 until 2 April 1913 her route was Genoa – Naples – New York.[1]

By 1913 Cincinnati was equipped for wireless telegraphy. Her call sign was DDC.[3]

First World War

[edit]

On 28 July 1914, the day the First World War began, Cincinnati left Hamburg for Port of Boston via Boulogne and Southampton. At Boston the United States Customs Service interned her along with the HAPAG liner Amerika, Norddeutscher Lloyd liners Kronprinzessin Cecilie, Köln, Wittekind and Willehad and DDG Hansa cargo ship Ockenfels.

In March 1916 Cincinnati, Amerika, Köln, Wittekind and Willehad moved from their waterfront piers to an anchorage across the harbor from Boston Navy Yard. Daily "neutrality duty" by United States Coast Guard harbor tug Winnisimmet kept the ships under observation. Many members of their crews eventually went ashore, were processed through immigration, and found employment, while a contingent of musicians from the vessels toured New England, frequently playing at department stores and restaurants, and drawing the ire of the local musicians' union.[4]

On 6 April 1917 the United States declared war on Germany. The US authorities seized the German ships and vested them in the United States Shipping Board.[5] On 26 July Cincinnati was transferred to the United States Navy, and two days later she was commissioned as USS Covington, named after Covington, Kentucky.

USS Covington sinking off Brest

From 18 October 1917, Covington made six voyages from Hoboken, New Jersey, to Brest, France, taking more than 21,000 troops for service with the American Expeditionary Force. On 1 July 1918 U-86 torpedoed her off Brest. Six of her crew were killed, but her escorts rescued 770. Covington remained afloat, and was towed about 50 miles toward Brest, but sank the afternoon of 2 July 1918.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Cincinnati (1908–1918)". Hamburg-Amerikanische-Paketfahrt-Aktiengesellschaft (H.A.P.A.G.) (in German). Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Cleveland (1909–1933)". Hamburg-Amerikanische-Paketfahrt-Aktiengesellschaft (H.A.P.A.G.) (in German). Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  3. ^ The Marconi Press Agency Ltd 1913, p. 235.
  4. ^ "Heavy tonnage in German steamers tied up in Boston". The Christian Science Monitor. 4 March 1916. p. 18. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  5. ^ Drechsel 1994, p. 159.

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]

47°24′N 07°44′W / 47.400°N 7.733°W / 47.400; -7.733

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