Theodore Roosevelt ScStr

Theodore Roosevelt
(ScStr: t. 1,955 (gross), l. 287'0"; b. 40'0" (wl.); dr.
12'6" (mean); s. 20.8 k.)

The first Theodore Roosevelt (Id. No. 1478)—a steamer built in 1906 at Toledo, Ohio, by the Toledo Shipbuilding Co.—was acquired by the Navy from the Roosevelt Steamship Co. sometime in the spring of 1918 and fitted out as a troop transport during the summer and fall. Though some sources suggest that Theodore Roosevelt was never commissioned in the Navy, the fact that the 1919 Navy Directory lists Lt. Harry D. Irwin, USNRF, as "comdr. U.S.S. Roosevelt" is a strong indication to the contrary. In any event, by 1 November 1918, she was assigned to duty as a cross channel transport carrying troops back and forth between Great Britain and France. She continued that duty at least until 1 April1919 and probably returned to the United States sometime in April or May. As of .1 June 1919, the transport was at New York awaiting disposition. On 1 July 1919, she was sold-the purchaser's name is unrecorded-and her name was struck from the Navy list.