Rare c1925 USS Black Hawk AD-9 Warship Wrestling Champion "Swede" Erickson

Description: This rare, original photo depicts one of the USS Black Hawk AD-9 warship's wrestling champions, nicknamed "Swede" Erickson. At sea, it was important for the sailors to have hobbies and interests to occupy their mind, and one way is with sports teams. This is a very rare photo, and I couldn't find any other photo like it for sale anywhere online. Add this photo, possibly the only one of its kind, to your collection. Approximate size: 5 inches x 6.5 inches It's possible that this "Swede" Erickson is Harold Alexander "Swede" Erickson (March 10, 1898 – January 27, 1963), born Harald Alexander Ingvald Eriksen, who was an American football back who played for three teams over eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL), four with the Chicago Cardinals, including the 1925 NFL Champion team. We know that Harold Alexander "Swede" Erickson served in the US Navy, and the timing lines up, and pictures of both men look similar. If this is the case, then the listing photo is from c1919, versus c1925, as Harold Alexander "Hal" Erickson ended his US Navy career in 1919. Also, if so, this makes this photo from just being rare to incredibly rare, as there are very few photos of Harold Alexander "Swede" Erickson at all, and none from his military experience that I could find. USS Black Hawk (AD-9) was a destroyer tender. Black Hawk was launched in 1913 as SS Santa Catalina by William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Co., Philadelphia; purchased by the U.S. Navy on 3 December 1917; and commissioned 15 May 1918. Assigned as tender and flagship to the Mine Force, Black Hawk departed Boston in June 1918 to take station at Inverness, Scotland. She remained there until the end of World War I and then shifted her base to Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, for the North Sea mine sweep. USS Black Hawk (AD-9) Anchored in Philippine waters, 19 December 1935. She serviced Destroyer Squadron FiveShe returned to New York in November 1919 and served as flagship and tender for the Atlantic Fleet destroyers in reserve at Philadelphia. After the installation of a torpedo workshop and other equipment she was designated a destroyer tender (AD-9) in November 1920 and reported as flagship of the Operative Squadron, Destroyer Flotillas, Atlantic Fleet. She served mainly in Caribbean and Panamanian waters until June 1922 when she left Newport, Rhode Island, via the Suez Canal, for the Asiatic Fleet. Black Hawk remained in the Far East for twenty years during which she tended Destroyer Squadrons 5 (1922–40) and 29 (1940–42). On 7 December 1941 Black Hawk was at Balikpapan, Borneo. She operated as a tender and repair ship at Java until 31 December 1941; at Darwin, Australia (January-3 February 1942); Java (3–20 February); and in Australian waters (26 February-29 May). Leaving Australia she steamed to Pearl Harbor, arriving 15 June 1942. She was assigned tender duty in Alaskan waters and arrived at Kodiak on 29 July 1942. Remaining there until 4 November 1942 she then returned to San Francisco, California, for repairs and overhaul. Completing her overhaul 16 March 1943, Black Hawk returned to Alaskan waters, arriving 10 April 1943. Except for a short stay at Pearl Harbor (30 September 1943 – 1 February 1944), she remained at Adak until 21 March 1945. Following repairs at Alameda, California, she arrived at Pearl Harbor 30 May 1945; remained there until 11 September; and then proceeded to Okinawa. Black Hawk served in the Far East tending vessels at Okinawa and in China (specifically at Tsingtao) until 20 May 1946 when she headed home for the last time. Decommissioned on 15 August 1946, she was transferred to Maritime Commission on 4 September 1947. Please inspect the pictures, as they give the best representation of condition. May have discoloring, edge or corner wear, marks, creases, fading, smudges, corner or edge bends, tears, or corners missing. (D32 inventory number)

Price: 299.99 USD

Location: Davenport, Iowa

End Time: 2025-01-29T23:22:55.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD