USS J. B. Walker (ID-1272)

J.B. Walker (American Seagoing Barge, 1879)
History
United States
Name: USS J. B. Walker
Builder: E. O'Brien Co., Thomaston, Maine
Laid down: date unknown
Launched: 1879
Completed: 1879
Acquired: 8 August 1918
Commissioned: 8 August 1918 as USS J.B. Walker (ID # 1272)
Decommissioned: 27 March 1919
Struck: 1919
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Fate: sold, 11 September 1919
General characteristics
Type: Schooner
Displacement: 2136 gross ton
Length: 247'
Beam: 42' 4"
Draft: 26' 9"
Propulsion: none
Speed: non-self propelled
Crew: crew of 6
Armament: none

USS J. B. Walker (ID 1272) was an old schooner hulk acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I. Because of her age, condition and relatively large cargo capacity, she was used as a collier, carrying coal where needed. She was not self-propelled, and required to be towed from one port to another. Post-war, J. B. Walker was sold.

Built in Maine in 1879

J.B. Walker, a 2,136 gross ton seagoing barge, was built at Thomaston, Maine, in 1879 as a schooner. After operating commercially for nearly four decades, she was taken over by the U.S. Navy in October 1917 and placed in commission as USS J.B. Walker (ID # 1272) in August 1918.

World War I service

For the rest of World War I, and for some months after the November 1918 Armistice, she was employed carrying coal between Norfolk, Virginia, and New England. In late March 1919 J.B. Walker was assigned to the Fifth Naval District, probably for harbor service in the vicinity of Norfolk and Hampton Roads. She was sold in September 1919.

See also

References

J.B. Walker in port, probably in the New York City area in 1917-1918
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