Section Patrol Photo Gallery

As part of the preparedness campaign of 1916 the Navy began planning for the formation of coast defense "Section Patrols" using privately owned recreational craft. Boards were established to inspect these craft, and each boat that was found suitable for possible Navy use was assigned a number prefixed with "S.P." Larger oceangoing vessels were given ID (identificaton) numbers and many of these are illustrated in the section in this website on Temporary Auxiliary Ships of World War I and in the McKellar section, but the smaller craft with SP numbers are not similarly illustrated there. This gallery presents photos of some SP's wearing their SP numbers. Most were in naval service when photographed. All are motor boats unless otherwise specified. Dates are all-numeric in d.m.y or m.y format.

More data on most of these vessels is available here: Small Combatant SP's.

USS SP-1 to SP-399 (Most acquired March-August 1917)

Arawan II (SP-1)

M.Y. Arawan II (SP-1), 61 tons, built 1912. Photographed on 27.9.1916 flying the U.S. civilian yachting flag and displaying the first SP number issued.
(Photo # NH 95860)

USS Arawan II (SP-1)

USS Arawan II (SP-1), in USN 3.1917-11.1918. She was also the first SP to be acquired by the Navy, on 27.3.1917.
(Photo # NH 57039)

USS Tacony (SP-5)

USS Tacony (SP-5), 65 tons, built 1899, in USN 5.1917-11.1918.
(Photo # NH 42421)

USS Patrol No. 4 (SP-8)

USS Patrol No. 4 (SP-8), 40 feet, built 1915, USN 4.1917-3.1919.
(Photo # NH 102118)

USS Patrol No. 5 (SP-29)

US Navy patrol boat Patrol No. 5 (SP-29)

USS Patrol No. 5 (SP-29), 5 tons, built 1916, USN 4.1917-4.1919. Patrol Nos. 1-5 were sisters built by Britt Bros.
(Photo # NH 102120)

USS Patrol No. 1 (SP-45)

US Navy patrol boat Patrol No. 1 (SP-45)

USS Patrol No. 1 (SP-45), 5 tons, built 1916, USN 5.1917. Wrecked in a hurricane 11.9.1919.
(Photo # NH 102116)

USS Dodger II (SP-46)

USS Dodger II (SP-46), 29 tons, built 1913, USN 5.1917-4.1919.
(Photo # NH 101429)

USS Patrol No. 8 (SP-56)

US Navy patrol boat Patrol No. 8 (SP-56)

USS Patrol No. 8 (SP-56), 40 tons, built 1916, USN 5.1917-2.1919.
(Photo # NH 102122)

USS Shrewsbury (SP-70)

USS Shrewsbury (SP-70), 77 tons, built 1910, USN 4.1917-10.1919.
(Photo # NH 42422)

USS Rutoma (SP-78)

USS Rutoma (SP-78), 29 tons, built 1910, USN 4.1917-9.1919.
(Photo # NH 103210)

Perfecto (SP-86)

M.B. Perfecto (SP-86), 60 feet, built 1917, 6.1917-2.1919. Greenport 60-foot type, similar to Russian boats.
(Photo # NH 96619)

USS Rondo (SP-90)

USS Rondo (SP-90), 20 tons, built 1907, USN 6.1917. Renamed USS SP-90 11.4.1918. Wrecked in a hurricane 11.9.1919.
(Photo # NH 102146)

USS Shadow III (SP-102)

USS Shadow III (SP-102), 6 tons, built 1916, USN 6.1917-8.1921.
(Photo # NH 102207)

USS Sybilla III (SP-104)

US Navy patrol boat Sybilla III (SP-104)

USS Sybilla III (SP-104), 103 tons, 120 feet, built 1915, USN 5.1917-12.1918. Reacquired as PC-454 8.1940, to PYc-46 7.1943.
(Photo # NH 55614)

USS Zigzag (SP-106)

USS Zigzag (SP-106), 44 feet, USN 6.1917. Destroyed in hurricane 11.9.1919.
(Photo # NH 102580)

USS Elmasada (SP-109)

USS Elmasada (SP-109), 47 tons, built 1909, USN 6.1917-5.1919.
(Photo # NARA RG-165-WW-338A-079)

USS Taniwha (SP-129)

USS Taniwha (SP-129), 46 tons, built 1909, USN 9.1917-4.1919
(Photo # NH 102254)

USS Hoqua (SP-142)

USS Hoqua (SP-142), 35 tons, built 1914, USN 6.1917-2.1919
(Photo # NH 103213)

USS Quest (SP-171)

USS Quest (SP-171), 12 tons, built 1916, USN 7.1917-1.1919. Greenport 60-foot type, hull similar to Russian boats. The gun replaced the forward cabin. (Photo # NH 102144)

USS Privateer (SP-179)

USS Privateer (SP-179), 50 tons, 5.1917-6.1930. She was retained in the Third Naval District after the war.
(Photo # NH 96621)

USS Helori (SP-181)

USS Helori (SP-181), 90 tons, 92 feet, built 1911, USN 4.1917-9.1925.
(Photo # NH 635)

USS Arcturus (SP-182)

USS Arcturus (SP-182), 78 tons, built 1911, USN 5.1917-11.1919. Renamed USS SP-182 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 100662)

USS Edithia (SP-214)

USS Edithia (SP-214), 67 tons, 99 feet, built 1909, USN 5.1917. Loaned to the State of New Jersey 7.1922-10.1933.
(Photo # NH 103215)

USS Hyac (SP-216)

USS Hyac (SP-216), 48 tons, built 1915, USN 7.1917-11.1918.
(Photo # NH 101795)

USS Chipper (SP-256)

USS Chipper (SP-256), 38 tons, built 1913, USN 6.1917-12.1918. Renamed USS SP-256 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 101396)

USS Niagara (SP-263)

USS Niagara (SP-263), 37 tons, built 1915, USN 7.1917-5.1919. Renamed USS SP-263 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 102065)

USS Quicksilver (SP-281)

US Navy patrol boat Quicksilver (SP-281)

USS Quicksilver (SP-281), 20 tons, built 1916, USN 5.1917-5.1919.
(Photo NARA RG-165-WW-339A-019)

USS Mary Pope (SP-291)

USS Mary Pope (SP-291), 13 tons, built 1915, USN 7.1917. Destroyed in hurricane 10.9.1919.
(Photo # NH 102015)

USS Glendoveer (SP-292)

USS Glendoveer (SP-292), 33 tons, built 1907, USN 5.1917-9.1919.
(Photo # NH 45273)

USS Navajo III (SP-298)

USS Navajo III (SP-298), 40 tons, built 1916, USN 6.1917-11.1919. Renamed USS SP-298 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 103216)

USS Raboco (SP-310)

USS Raboco (SP-310), 39 tons, built 1913, USN 7.1917-1.1919. "Sioux Canal Guarded by Scout Patrol Boats" [SP boats] by Young's Marine Studio.
(Photo NARA RG-165-WW-338A-094)

USS Aloha (SP-317)

USS Aloha (SP-317), steam yacht, 659 tons, 216 feet, built 1910, USN 4.1917-1.1919.
(Photo: NavSource)

USS Absegami (SP-371)

USS Absegami (SP-371), 51 tons, built 1916, USN 5.1917-12.1918
(Photo # NH 57710)

USS SP-400 to SP-799 (Most acquired April-September 1917)

USS Vigilant (SP-406)

USS Vigilant (SP-406), 30 tons, built 1916, USN 5.1917-12.1918. Renamed USS SP-406 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 45262)

USS Patrol No. 2 (SP-409)

US Navy patrol boat Patrol No. 2 (SP-409)

USS Patrol No. 2 (SP-409), 40 feet, USN 4.1917-1.1919.
(Photo # NH 102117)

USS Aramis (SP-418)

USS Aramis (SP-418), motor yacht, 375 tons, 157 feet, built 1916, USN 7.1917-11.1933.
To PY-7 7.1920 and to District Unclassified ca. 1924. (Photo # NH 105704)

USS Greyhound (SP-437)

USS Greyhound (SP-437), 40 feet, built 1916, USN 7.1917-7.1919.
(Photo # NH 101733)

USS Beaumere II (SP-444)

US Navy patrol boat Beaumere II (SP-444)

USS Beaumere II (SP-444), 12 tons, built 1914, USN 7.1917-2.1919.
At the New York Navy Yard.
(Photo NARA RG-165-WGZ-K-22_NMN)

USS Ameera (SP-453)

USS Ameera (SP-453), 28 tons, built 1917, USN 7.1917-4.1920.
(Photo # NH 94150)

USS St. Sebastian (SP-470)

US Navy patrol boat St. Sebastian (SP-470)

USS St. Sebastian (SP-470), 16 tons, USN 6.1917. Wrecked in a hurricane 11.9.1919.
(Photo # NH 102172)

USS Sylvia (SP-471)

USS Sylvia (SP-471), 17 tons, USN 6.1917. Renamed USS SP-471 11.4.1918. Wrecked in a hurricane at Key West 11.9.1919.
(Photo # NH 102248)

USS Frances II (SP-503)

USS Frances II (SP-503), 16 tons, USN 6.1917-11.1918.
(Photo # NH 101716)

USS Raccoon (SP-506)

USS Raccoon (SP-506), 16 tons, built 1915, USN 5.1917-1.1919.
(Photo # NH 93943)

USS Suzanne (SP-510)

USS Suzanne (SP-510), 123 tons, 110 feet, built 1908, USN 5.1917-12.1918.
(Photo # NH 42433)

USS Sea Gull (SP-544)

USS Sea Gull (SP-544), 58 feet, 1917-11.1918. Renamed USS SP-544 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 42436)

USS Idaho (SP-545)

USS Idaho (SP-545), 24 tons, built 1907, USN 7.1917-11.1918. Renamed USS SP-545 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 101826)

USS Nautilus II (SP-559)

US Navy patrol boat Nautilus II (SP-559)

USS Nautilus II (SP-559), 23 tons, built 1917, USN 8.1917-2.1919
(Photo # NH 102057)

USS Get There (SP-579)

USS Get There (SP-579), 15 tons, built 1916, USN 7.1917-3.1919.
(Photo # NH 102949)

USS Halcyon II (SP-582)

US Navy patrol yacht Halcyon II (SP-582)

USS Halcyon II (SP-582), steam yacht, 161 tons, 140 feet, built 1907, USN 8.1917-12.1919. Renamed USS SP-582 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 42546)

USS Miramar (SP-591)

USS Miramar (SP-591), 115 feet, built 1910, USN 5.1917-12.1918.
(Photo # NH 46032)

USS Miramar (SP-591)

USS Miramar (SP-591) with SC's and other SP's. (Photo # NH 42545)

USS Fearless (SP-598)

USS Fearless (SP-598), 15 tons, built 1909, USN 4.1917-12.1918. Renamed USS SP-598 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 101708)

USS Gurkha (SP-600)

USS Gurkha (SP-600), 30 tons, built 1915, USN 4.1917-6.1929, with USS Virginia or New Jersey.
(Photo # NH 96135)

USS Fern (SP-635)

USS Fern (SP-635), 24 tons, built 1906, USN 8.1917-1.1919. Renamed USS SP-635 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 101710)

USS Katie (SP-660)

USS Katie (SP-660), 15 tons, built 1915, USN 5.1917-10.1918.
(Photo # NH 101957)

USS Natoma (SP-666)

USS Natoma (SP-666), 112 tons, 120 feet, built 1913, USN 7.1917-4.1919.
(Photo # NH 89747-A)

USS Vencedor (SP-669)

USS Vencedor (SP-669), 90 tons, 90 feet, built 1909, USN 6.1917-2.1919.
(Photo # NH 102347)

USS Pattina (SP-675)

USS Pattina (SP-675), 31 tons, built 1916, USN 9.1917-2.1919.
(Photo # NH 102124)

USS Sussex (SP-685)

USS Sussex (SP-685), fishing boat, 67 tons, built 1913, USN 5.1917-1.1920.
(Photo # NH 89745-B)

USS Vester (SP-686)

USS Vester (SP-686), Menhaden fishing boat, 117 tons, built 1876, USN 5.1917-1.1920.
(Photo # NH 42437)

USS Satilla (SP-687)

USS Satilla (SP-687), steam yacht, 106 tons, 128 feet, built 1902, USN 5.1917-3.1920. Photographed on 15 March 1919. (Photo # NH 42547)

USS Polly (SP-690)

USS Polly (SP-690), 28 tons, built 1909, USN 5.1917-9.1919.
(Photo # NH 102137)

USS Cossack (SP-695)

USS Cossack (SP-695), 22 tons, built 1916, USN 4.1917-11.1919.
(Photo # NH 100885)

USS Lexington II (SP-705)

US Navy patrol boat Lexington II (SP-705)

USS Lexington II (SP-705), 27 tons, built 1911, USN 6.1917-11.1918. Renamed USS SP-705 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 51388)

USS Nirvana (SP-706)

USS Nirvana (SP-706), 31 tons, built 1915, USN 5.1917-1.1919. Renamed USS SP-706 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 102066)

USS Linta (SP-721)

USS Linta (SP-721), yacht, 78 tons, 108 feet, built 1905, USN 7.1917-2.1919.
(Photo # NH 102008)

USS SP-800 to SP-2365 (Most acquired April-December 1917)

USS Margo (SP-870)

USS Margo (SP-870), 34 tons, built 1913, USN 6.1917-12.1918.
(Photo # NH 46641)

USS Tern (SP-871)

USS Tern (SP-871), 17 tons, built 1907, USN 5.1917-11.1918. Renamed USS SP-871 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 42439)

USS Courtenay P. (SP-899)

US Navy patrol boat Courtenay P. (SP-899)

USS Courtenay P. (SP-899), 10 tons, USN 7.1917-12.1918. Renamed USS SP-899 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 100887)

USS Courtenay P. (SP-899)

USS Courtenay P. (SP-899) with USS New Mexico (BB-40) fitting out.
(Photo NARA RG-165-WGZ-K-24_NMN)

USS Yank (SP-908)

USS Yank (SP-908), 60 feet, built 1917, USN 10.1917-2.1919.
(Photo NARA RG-165-WW-338A-042)

USS Josephine (SP-913)

USS Josephine (SP-913), 28 tons, built 1916, USN 8.1917-12.1918. Renamed USS SP-913 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 101946)

USS Teaser (SP-933)

USS Teaser (SP-933), 20 tons, built 1916, USN 1917. Caught fire and sank 12.1918.
(Photo # NH 102257)

USS Elfin (SP-965)

USS Elfin (SP-965), 18 tons, built 1911, USN 7.1917-11.1918.
(Photo # NH 101701)

USS San Toy II (SP-996)

USS San Toy II (SP-996), 35 tons, built 1907, USN 11.1917-2.1919.
(Photo # NH 102180)

USS Yarrow (SP-1010)

USS Yarrow (SP-1010), 20 tons, built 1913, USN 8.1917-3.1919.
(Photo # NH 102577)

USS Geraldine (SP-1011)

USS Geraldine (SP-1011), 37 tons, built 1916, USN 9.1917-12.1918.
(Photo # NH 101726)

USS Roamer (SP-1047)

USS Roamer (SP-1047), steam boat, 89 tons, 93 feet, built 1902, USN 6.1917-7.1919, with two unidentified tankers.
(Photo # NH 42440)

USS Ensign (SP-1051)

USS Ensign (SP-1051), 30 tons, built 1914, USN 7.1917-1.1919.
(Photo # NH 101600)

USS Peggy (SP-1072)

USS Peggy (SP-1072), 30 feet, built 1914, USN 8.1917-11.1918.
(Photo # NH 42441)

USS Sayona II (SP-1109)

USS Sayona II (SP-1109), 25 tons, built 1907, USN 8.1917-12.1918, with USS Idylease (SP-119) to the left.
(Photo # NH 102216)

USS Hetman (SP-1150)

USS Hetman (SP-1150), 15 tons, built 1917, USN 10.1917-3.1921. Greenport 60-foot type, fast variant built for Russia.
(Photo # NH 101789)

USS Russ (SP-1151)

USS Russ (SP-1151), 14 tons, built 1917, USN 10.1917-3.1921. Greenport 60-foot boat, fast variant built for Russia.
(Photo # NH 102167)

USS Russ (SP-1151)

USS Russ and Hetman at Naval Air Station Miami, 12 July 1918. (Photo: San Diego Air & Space Museum, AL51-132, Flickr)

USS Welcome (SP-1175)

USS Welcome (SP-1175), 4 tons, built 1914, USN 8.1917-3.1919, with probably the Coast Guard cutter Morrill.
(Photo # NH 102518)

USS Atlantic (SP-1182)

USS Atlantic (SP-1182), 14 tons, built 1903, USN 8.1917-9.1918. Renamed USS SP-1182 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 100579).

USS Vitesse (SP-1192)

USS Vitesse (SP-1192), 18 tons, built 1917, USN 7.1917-12.1918. Greenport 60-foot type, similar to Russian boats. (Photo # NH 45261)

USS Ocoee (SP-1208)

USS Ocoee (SP-1208), 29 tons, built 1911, USN 8.1917-1.1919.
(Photo # NH 102067)

USS Charlie B. Mason (SP-1225)

US Navy patrol boat Charlie B. Mason (SP-1225)

USS Charlie B. Mason (SP-1225), 12 tons, built 1900, USN 6.1917-12.1918. (Photo # NH 101426)

USS Commander (SP-1247)

USS Commander (SP-1247), 36 tons, built 1917, USN 9.1917-2.1919, with a Pittsburgh class armored cruiser.
(Photo # NH 100873)

USS Ostrich (SP-1249)

USS Ostrich (SP-1249), 38 tons, built 1909, USN 7.1917-12.1918.
(Photo # NH 102067)

USS Velocipede (SP-1258)

US Navy patrol boat Velocipede (SP-1258)

USS Velocipede (SP-1258), 13 tons, built 1917, USN 10.1917-2.1919, with Russ (SP-1151) at NAS Miami, 27 June 1918. (Photo: San Diego Air & Space Museum, AL51-145, Flickr)

USS Grayling (SP-1259)

USS Grayling (SP-1259), 4 tons, built 1915, USN 5.1917-11.1918, with Elsie III (SP-708) and Lynx II (SP-730). Renamed USS SP-1259 11.4.1918.
(Photo # NH 45271)

USS Commodore (SP-1425)

USS Commodore (SP-1425), 12 tons, 62 feet, built 1917, USN 10.1917-10.1919, in March 1919. Herreshoff 62-foot type. (Photo # 80-G-1017187 from NHHC)

USS St. Marys (SP-1457)

USS St. Marys (SP-1457), 49 feet, built 1912, USN 8.1917-9.1918.
(Photo # NH 100249)

USS Bobylu (SP-1513)

USS Bobylu (SP-1513), 8 tons, built 1915, USN 10.1917-12.1918
(Photo # NH 95891)

USS Berkshire (SP-1578)

US Navy training ship Berkshire (SP-1578)

An unusual SP number usage: USS Berkshire (SP-1578), 2300 tons, built 1881, USN 4.1918-3.1919. An old ship assigned to the Section Patrol force as a training ship for paravane equipment.
(Photo: NARA, RG 19-E, box 1, folder X.)

USS War Bug (SP-1795)

USS War Bug (SP-1795), 29 tons, 62 feet, USN 11.1917-6.1919. Herreshoff 59-foot type. Her owner was F. Warburg.
(Photo # NH 102509)

USS Virginia (SP-1965)

USS Virginia (SP-1965), auxiliary schooner, 35 tons, built 1902, USN 12.1917-1.1919. Renamed USS SP-1965 11.4.1918. Schooner rig removed for naval service.
(Photo # NH 102358)

USS Victor (SP-1995)

USS Victor (SP-1995), 50 tons, built 1917, USN 11.1917-11.1918
(Photo # NH 42444)

USS Sea Hawk (SP-2365)

USS Sea Hawk (SP-2365), 29 tons, 62 feet, built 1917, USN 10.1917. Disappeared in a hurricane 10.9.1919. Herreshoff 62-foot type.
(Photo # NH 95891)

USS Mystery (SP-2744)

A late SP number: USS Mystery (SP-2744), fishing boat, 212 tons, built 1886, USN 9.1918-1.1919. Also listed as a minesweeping tug.
(Photo # NH 95891)