As mentioned, USS BLACK HAWK was built as a civilian merchant ship (launch. 1913), acquired by the USN (1917) and converted to be a tender. She was built to merchant ship standards of the time. As a tender, it wasn't expected that she would see much if any action. Upgrades during WWII would have done away with as much "flammable material" as possible. Even though not a warship, she could still be attacked by enemy airpower, not a major concern during WWI or in the 1920's.
As for the use of wood of USN ships in the early 1900's, the USS OLYMPIA had a bridge made with wood.
|