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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 59826:  USS Arcturus (ex-Artemis) in port, circa 1918

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Artemis (SP-593), 1917-1919.
Renamed Arcturus, 1918.
Originally the Steam Yacht Cristina (1912), which was later renamed Artemis

USS Artemis, a 456 gross ton patrol vessel, was built in 1912 as the steam yacht Cristina. Later renamed Artemis, she was taken over by the Navy in June 1917 and modified for World War I patrol and escort duty. Commissioned in October 1917, she crossed the Atlantic to Gibraltar during November and December as part of a group of converted yachts and submarine chasers. For the next eleven months she operated on convoy escort service, primarily between Gibraltar and North African, but with some voyages to ports in Spain, Portugal and France. In February 1918 Artemis was renamed Arcturus, though notice of this action did not reach the ship for quite some time. In early December 1918, nearly a month after the Armistice ended the First World War fighting, she began the long voyage back to the United States. Arriving in early January 1919, Arcturus spent the rest of her Navy career in the Long Island Sound and New York City regions. She was decommissioned in May 1919 and transferred to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Returned to the Navy in January 1920, she was sold in October of that year. Subsequent service as a private yacht under the name Artemis and as a merchant ship ended when she burned and sank in February 1927.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Artemis (SP-593), which was later renamed Arcturus, and the steam yacht Artemis (ex-Cristina) of 1912.

For more photographs related to USS Artemis' November 1917 trip from Bermuda to the Azores, see:

  • USS Margaret (SP-527) -- Voyage from the U.S. to the Azores, November 1917.


    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 95861

    Artemis
    (American Steam Yacht, 1912)

    In drydock, probably at the time of her completion. Photographed by her builders, the Pusey & Jones Company, Wilmington, Delaware.
    Formerly named Cristina, this yacht was acquired by the Navy on 7 August 1917 and placed in commission on 17 October 1917 as USS Artemis (SP-593). Renamed Arcturus on 20 February 1918, she was transferred to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey on 5 May 1919 and sold on 4 October 1920.

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

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 93938

    Artemis
    (American Steam Yacht, 1912)

    Photographed prior to World War I.
    Formerly named Cristina, this yacht was acquired by the Navy on 7 August 1917 and placed in commission on 17 October 1917 as USS Artemis (SP-593). She was renamed Arcturus on 20 February 1918. The ship was transferred to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey on 5 May 1919 and sold on 4 October 1920.

    The original print, with notes written on it concerning the ship's disposition, is mounted on the "SP" data card held by the Naval Historical Center's Ship's Histories Branch.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 125KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59826

    USS Arcturus (SP-593)
    (ex-Artemis)

    In port, probably in European waters, circa 1918.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 44KB; 740 x 395 pixels

     


    The ship on the left in the following photograph appears to be USS Artemis (SP-593, renamed Arcturus in February 1918):

    Photo #: NH 106267

    USS K-2
    (Submarine # 33), at right

    And other U.S. Navy ships in port, circa 1917-1918.
    The ship at left appears to be USS Artemis (SP-593, renamed Arcturus in February 1918). That in the center is a tug. They appear to be testing fire hoses.
    The location may be the Azores, or a southern European port.
    The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

    Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 465 pixels

     


    For more photographs related to USS Artemis' November 1917 trip from Bermuda to the Azores, see:

  • USS Margaret (SP-527) -- Voyage from the U.S. to the Azores, November 1917.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


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


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 6 September 2003
    New image added 15 December 2008