Lancaster II Str

Lancaster II
Str: t. 3.53'J: 1. 460': b. 5T'6~; dr. 28'; s. 10.6 k.; cpl.
92; a. 1 6", 1 6-pdr.)

The second Lancaster, a cargo Ship, u as launched 5 May 1918 by Sun Shipbuilding Co., Chester, Pa.; acquired by the Navy l9 June 1918; and commissioned at Philadelphia the same day, Lt. Comdr. D. R. Fleming in command.

Assigned to NOTS, Lancaster departed New York 13 July with cargo for South American ports. Arriving Buenos Aires 10 days later, she discharged her cargo and proceeded to Marseilles, France, where she arrived 28 October. After the Armistice was signed 11 November, Lancaster returned to New York the following month to join the Cruiser Transport Force 17 December.

Lancaster together with other Units of the Cruiser Transport Force was assigned the task of returning World War I veterans from Europe to the United States. The force returned over 85 percent of the veterans during the period from November 1918 to July 1919. Completing her service, Lancaster decommissioned 4 October 1919 and was returned to the USSB the same day.