Ships Company-USS Orion

This is the ship's company of the collier USS Orion (AC-11 or Collier #11) at Naval Operating Base Hampton Roads (now called Naval Station Norfolk) in 1926 shortly before the Navy decommissioned the ship for good.

Notice the African-American sailors, particuarly the chief petty officers in the back row, towards the center.  The Navy still restricted African-American to messmen at this time.