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USS Artemis (ID-2187)
Encyclopedia
USS Artemis (ID-2187), also known as the USAT Artemis, was a German passenger liner seized by U.S. Customs at New York City
at the start of American involvement in World War I
. She was built in 1902 as Iowa and was renamed Bohemia in 1912. She served the United States Army
as the transport USAT Artemis, and, at war’s end, she was transferred to the United States Navy
as a transport for returning American troops and military equipment from Europe
.
Postwar, she was transferred to the United States Shipping Board (USSB) (later the United States Maritime Commission (USMC)) and served as a merchant ship until 1941, when she was transferred to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT), becoming one of the Empire ship
s, Empire Bittern. In July 1944, Empire Bittern was sunk as a blockship in support of Operation Overlord
.
in the summer of 1914 stranded many German
and Austria
n ships, Bohemia amongst them, in American ports. Because of her German registry, she was seized by American customs officials after the United States entered World War I
in April 1917.
on 30 November 1918, and she completed her last voyage as an Army transport at New York City
on 23 February 1919.
, Artemis, given the identification number (ID. No.) 2187, was commissioned there on 8 April, the second ship to be so named by the U.S. Navy, Commander
John P. Jackson in command. Assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force, Artemis sailed for France
on 25 April, and reached St. Nazaire on 8 May. Sailing for Newport News, Virginia
on 11 May, she arrived at her destination on 24 May. Shifting that same day to Norfolk, Virginia
, she commenced her second transatlantic crossing voyage cycle on 1 June.
Besides her embarked returning doughboys, Artemis brought back a cargo of trucks to Newport News on her second voyage, arriving there on 26 June. Shifting to Norfolk the same day, the ship began her third round-trip voyage on 2 July, departing Norfolk for France
. Arriving at St. Nazaire on 15 July, Artemis moved to Brest
soon thereafter, and began the return trip from that port on 21 July.
Arriving at Norfolk on 3 August, via Newport News, the ship underwent voyage repairs at Norfolk from 6–9 August. She sailed thence for France on the latter day on her last voyage as a naval vessel, reaching St. Nazaire on 21 August. Sailing for the U.S. on 12 September, Artemis arrived at New York City
on the morning of 23 September, mooring at pier 3, Army Base, Brooklyn, New York.
on 18 October, and the ship was transferred to the (USSB for disposition.
Laid up by 1923, Artemis remained inactive through the 1930s and into World War II
, in the hands of the USSB and its successor, the USMC. Acquired by the MoWT in 1941, the ship was renamed Empire Bittern. Her port of registry was London and she was operated under the management of Royal Mail Lines Ltd. Empire Bittern was a member of a number of convoys during World War II.
HX189
Convoy HX 189 departed from Halifax, Nova Scotia
on 10 May 1942 and arrived at Liverpool on 20 May. Empire Bittern was to have joined the convoy, but did not sail, joining the following convoy, HX 190 instead.
HX 190
Convoy HX 190 departed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on 17 May 1942 and arrived at Liverpool on 28 May.
On 23 July 1944, Empire Bittern was sunk as an additional blockship as part of Operation Overlord.
. Artemis had the United States Official number 215315. She is recorded as having the Code Letters
LHMG in 1930. Empire Bittern had the UK Official Number 115329 and used the Code Letter BCGL.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
at the start of American involvement in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. She was built in 1902 as Iowa and was renamed Bohemia in 1912. She served the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
as the transport USAT Artemis, and, at war’s end, she was transferred to the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as a transport for returning American troops and military equipment from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Postwar, she was transferred to the United States Shipping Board (USSB) (later the United States Maritime Commission (USMC)) and served as a merchant ship until 1941, when she was transferred to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT), becoming one of the Empire ship
Empire ship
The Empire ships were a series of ships in the service of the British Government. Their names were all prefixed with "Empire". Mostly they were used during World War II by the Ministry of War Transport , who owned the ships but contracted out their management to various shipping lines. Some ships...
s, Empire Bittern. In July 1944, Empire Bittern was sunk as a blockship in support of Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
.
Construction
Iowa was a steel-hulled, twin-screw passenger steamship built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast. She was yard number 349 and was launched on 5 July 1902. Completion was on 11 November 1902. Iowa was 500 in 5 in (152.53 m) long, with a beam of 58 in 3 in (17.75 m) and a depth of34 ft (10.4 m). She was powered by a 814 hp 6-cylinder triple expansion steam engine which had paired cylinders of 23.5 in (59.7 cm), 39 in (99.1 cm) and 66 in (167.6 cm) diameter by 48 in (121.9 cm) stroke, giving her a speed of 12 kn (14.6 mph; 23.5 km/h).Early career
Iowa was built for the White Diamond Steamship Company Ltd, Liverpool. She was operated under the management of George Warren & Co Ltd. In 1913, Iowa was sold to the Hamburg Amerika Line and renamed Bohemia.Seized in New York by U.S. Customs
The outbreak of hostilities in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in the summer of 1914 stranded many German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n ships, Bohemia amongst them, in American ports. Because of her German registry, she was seized by American customs officials after the United States entered World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in April 1917.
Service with the U.S. Army
Bohemia was renamed Artemis, armed with a main battery of one 5 in (127 mm) and one 3 in (76.2 mm) gun, and placed in service as an Army transport. She served as USAT Artemis during World War I and for over three months after the war ended. Her battery was removed at Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
on 30 November 1918, and she completed her last voyage as an Army transport at New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on 23 February 1919.
Bringing U.S. troops back home
Turned over to the Navy at Fletcher's Drydock in Hoboken, New JerseyHoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
, Artemis, given the identification number (ID. No.) 2187, was commissioned there on 8 April, the second ship to be so named by the U.S. Navy, Commander
Commander (United States)
In the United States, commander is a military rank that is also sometimes used as a military title, depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Naval rank:In the United States...
John P. Jackson in command. Assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force, Artemis sailed for France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
on 25 April, and reached St. Nazaire on 8 May. Sailing for Newport News, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
on 11 May, she arrived at her destination on 24 May. Shifting that same day to Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, she commenced her second transatlantic crossing voyage cycle on 1 June.
Besides her embarked returning doughboys, Artemis brought back a cargo of trucks to Newport News on her second voyage, arriving there on 26 June. Shifting to Norfolk the same day, the ship began her third round-trip voyage on 2 July, departing Norfolk for France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Arriving at St. Nazaire on 15 July, Artemis moved to Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
soon thereafter, and began the return trip from that port on 21 July.
Arriving at Norfolk on 3 August, via Newport News, the ship underwent voyage repairs at Norfolk from 6–9 August. She sailed thence for France on the latter day on her last voyage as a naval vessel, reaching St. Nazaire on 21 August. Sailing for the U.S. on 12 September, Artemis arrived at New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on the morning of 23 September, mooring at pier 3, Army Base, Brooklyn, New York.
Decommissioning
Shifting to steamship pier 2, Army Base, on 8 October, Artemis was decommissioned on 18 October 1919. During her career as a Navy transport, she had brought home 11,760 troops. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel RegisterNaval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on 18 October, and the ship was transferred to the (USSB for disposition.
Subsequent maritime career
The USSB's fourth annual report, for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1920, lists Artemis as being transferred to the France and Canada Steamship Corp. to be operated by that company, but this may never have come to pass, since contemporary merchant vessel registers refer only to her USSB ownership. Likewise, lists of ships operated by the France and Canada Steamship Co. do not contain Artemis.Laid up by 1923, Artemis remained inactive through the 1930s and into World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in the hands of the USSB and its successor, the USMC. Acquired by the MoWT in 1941, the ship was renamed Empire Bittern. Her port of registry was London and she was operated under the management of Royal Mail Lines Ltd. Empire Bittern was a member of a number of convoys during World War II.
HX189
Convoy HX 189 departed from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
on 10 May 1942 and arrived at Liverpool on 20 May. Empire Bittern was to have joined the convoy, but did not sail, joining the following convoy, HX 190 instead.
HX 190
Convoy HX 190 departed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on 17 May 1942 and arrived at Liverpool on 28 May.
On 23 July 1944, Empire Bittern was sunk as an additional blockship as part of Operation Overlord.
Official number and code letters
Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO NumbersIMO ship identification number
The IMO ship identification number is made of the three letters "IMO" followed by the seven-digit number assigned to all ships by IHS Fairplay when constructed. This is a unique seven digit number that is assigned to propelled, sea-going merchant ships of 100 GT and above...
. Artemis had the United States Official number 215315. She is recorded as having the Code Letters
Code letters
Code letters were a method of identifying ships before the introduction of modern navigation aids. Later, with the introduction of radio, code letters were also used as radio callsigns.-History:...
LHMG in 1930. Empire Bittern had the UK Official Number 115329 and used the Code Letter BCGL.