Wright (AZ-1): Photographs

USS Wright (AZ-1) Probably shown arriving on 31 October 1920 under tow at her conversion shipyard in Hoboken, N.J., from her builder's yard at Hog Island, Pa. She grounded in attempting to enter her slip (possibly shown here) and was floated and tied up temporarily to other vessels. She is a standard Hog Island Type B transport (EFC Design 1024) with many items in the after part of the ship, including both goalpost masts, not installed. Photographed by Todd Shipyards Corp., owner of the Hoboken yard. Photo No. 19-N-7909 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM. Another copy is filed as 80-G-1017222.
USS Wright (AZ-1) In drydock in January 1922 at the New York Navy Yard after conversion to a lighter-than-air aircraft tender. The sides of the kite balloon well are clearly visible below the balloon platform, which covers the entire after portion of the ship. The 100-foot long well is covered with pieces of canvas. The ship's armament, which included two 5"/51 guns on the stern under the balloon platform, has not yet been mounted. Photo No. 19-N-7882 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-N box 1
USS Wright (AZ-1) In drydock in January 1922 at the New York Navy Yard after conversion to a lighter-than-air aircraft tender. The superstructure was modified and the forward well filled in to allow the ship to tend seaplanes as well as kite balloons. The Williamsburg Bridge is in the background. Photo No. 19-N-7883 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-N box 1
USS Wright (AZ-1) Artist's concept of the ship flying a kite balloon above the ship's open balloon well. Note the observers in the basket suspended under the balloon. Painted circa 1921 by Rose Pastor Stokes, who produced a series of paintings of planned new Navy ships during this period. Photo No. NH 43622 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command
USS Wright (AZ-1) Lowering a kite balloon into the ship's balloon well after a flight. The empty observers' basket is already near the bottom of the well and numerous crewmen are manning lines to guide the balloon into the well. Photo No. None Source: Shipscribe
USS Wright (AZ-1) With USS Sandpiper (AM-51) alongside at the time of Fleet Problem I in the Panama area circa February 1923. The photo was probably taken from one of Wright's F5L seaplanes and shows another F5L anchored in the distance. Wright no longer operated kite balloons but was still classified AZ-1 and retained her balloon platform and well aft. Sandpiper was one of three minesweepers assigned in 1919 to duty supporting aviation; she and eight sisters were reclassified to small seaplane tenders (AVP-1 class, q.v.) in 1936. Photo No. NH 100449 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command
USS Wright (AZ-1 or AV-1) Shown circa 1923-1925. The clear portion of the deck forward was for maintaining seaplanes. The two guns on the bow are 3"/50 antiaircraft guns. Photo No. None Source: Shipscribe
USS Wright (AZ-1 or AV-1) A profile of the ship in her original configuration as a lighter-than-air aircraft tender (AZ), although by the time this photograph was taken (circa 1923-1925) she may have been reclassified as a heavier-than-air aircraft tender (AV). The raised balloon platform covers the entire after third of the ship. Photo No. 19-N-11829 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-N box 1
USS Wright (AV-1) A profile of the ship taken in February 1926, very soon after completion of her conversion from a lighter-than-air aircraft tender (AZ) to a heavier-than-air aircraft tender (AV). The balloon well and nearly all of the balloon platform have been removed, leaving the ship with clear deck space both fore and aft for tending seaplanes. The surviving bit of the balloon platform probably held the winches for the kingposts just aft of the superstructure. Photo No. 19-N-11827 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-N box 1
USS Wright (AV-1) Photographed circa the late 1920s. Note the seaplanes on deck for maintenance both fore and aft. Photo No. None Source: Shipscribe
USS Wright (AV-1) In the Panama Canal circa the 1930s. Note the two seaplanes on deck on the stern. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM
USS Wright (AV-1) Probably at Pearl Harbor in early 1942. She has received two additional 3"/50 antiaircraft guns (for a total of four) forward plus some 20mm guns. Photo No. 19-N-28172 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM
USS Wright (AV-1) Off Alameda, Calif., on 13 July 1943 after receiving more wartime alterations. These included the addition of two 1.1" quad mounts, one fore and one aft, and a lattice radar mast. Photo No. 19-N-48392 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM
USS San Clemente (AG-79) At San Francisco in May 1946 during a brief stop there enroute the East Coast for inactivation. She has acquired a new deckhouse, probably for use by the embarked staff, on the former seaplane maintenance area aft. Photo No. NH 77382 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command