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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo #  NH 42996:  Motor boat Panama in a Florida port, prior to World War I


Online Library of Selected Images:
-- CIVILIAN SHIPS --

Panama (American Motor Boat, 1914).
Served as USS Panama (SP-101) in 1917-1920

Panama, a 78-foot motor boat, was built at Key West, Florida, in 1914. Prior to World War I she was extensively used for laying and repairing telegraph cable in the vicinity of Key West and may have also been employed in passenger service. The Navy acquired the craft in April 1917 and placed her in commission a month later as USS Panama (SP-101). She operated out of Key West through the First World War I, voyaging as far away as the Panama Canal Zone. USS Panama was transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in November 1920.

This page features our only views of the motor boat Panama, which served as USS Panama (SP-101) during the World War I era.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 102111

Panama
(U.S. Motor Boat, 1914)

Possibly photographed at the time of her launching, circa 1914.
This craft was acquired by the Navy on 29 April 1917 and commissioned on 26 May 1917 as USS Panama (SP-101). She was transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on 6 December 1920.

The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42996

Panama
(American Motor Boat, 1914)

Photographed in a Florida port, prior to World War I.
She served as USS Panama (SP-101) in 1917-1920.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 440 pixels

 



Note: The Ships' Histories Branch of the Naval Historical Center holds two other views of Panama, both taken before she entered Navy service:

  • One photograph appears to have been taken at the same time as Photo # 102111 (seen above), possibly just before Panama was launched. The view is from off the boat's port quarter, showing her entire underwater hull. Her name is clearly seen on the transom.
  • The other photograph shows Panama in port, probably at Key West, Florida, with a sign behind her advertising boat service "Key West to Miami". She is seen from off her starboard side, somewhat toward the bow, with a large lifeboat suspended from davits just aft of her forecastle break. Several men are standing on deck.
    These prints are mounted on the "SP" data card for Panama (SP-101).

  • If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 14 September 2002