Winterswijk ScStr

Winterswijk

(ScStr.: t. 3,205 (gross); 1. 320'0"; b. 47'6"; dph.
22'10"; dr. 23' (f.); s. 9.0 k.; a. none)

Winterswijk—a steel-hulled screw steamer completed in 1914 at Albasserdam, Holland, by Jan Smit and Co. and operated prior to World War I by the firm of Erhardt and Deckers of Rotterdam—was taken over by the United States Government on 20 March 1918 under the ancient right of angry which allowed a belligerent nation to use the property of a neutral power when necessary, but subject to full indemnification. Winterswijk was assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation service (NOTS) and commissioned at Key West on 2 April 1918, Lt. Francis R. Nichols, USNRF, in command.

After loading a cargo of coal, Winterswijk sailed for Cuba on 4 April and arrived at Antilla Cuba, on the 7th. There, she discharged her valuable black, dusty cargo and later loaded a cargo of sugar. Underway again on 15 April, Winterswijk arrived at Boston eight days later. After unloading, the steamer was decommissioned and turned over to the United States Shipping Board on 27 April 1918. Simultaneously struck from the Navy list, Winterswijk remained under the custody of the Shipping Board until returned to her owner. The veteran of 25 days of service in the United States Navy subsequently resumed postwar operations with Erhardt and Deckers.