USS Velocipede, a 60-foot section patrol craft, was built in 1917 at at Morris Heights, New Jersey, as the civilian pleasure craft of the same name. One of a number of privately-owned motor boats constructed at that time with possible national defense use in mind, she was leased by the Navy in late October 1917 and placed in commission in mid-November. For the rest of World War I, and a few months afterwards, Velocipede was assigned to the Naval Air Station at Miami, Florida. She was returned to her owner in February 1919.
This page features the only views we have related to USS Velocipede (SP-1258) and to the civilian motor boat of that name.
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 89775 Velocipede (American Motor Boat, 1917) Photographed soon after completion in 1917. She served as USS Velocipede (SP-1258) from November 1917 to February 1919. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 470 pixels |
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Photo #: 80-G-1017185 USS Velocipede (SP-1258) In Florida waters, near Miami, 31 July 1918. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 68KB; 600 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-1017184 USS Russ (SP-1151), at left, and USS Velocipede (SP-1258), at right At Miami, Florida, 27 June 1918. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 600 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 75650 Motor yachts and other pleasure craft Refitting at New York for the 1919 yachting season in the spring of that year. Many of these boats served as Navy section patrol ("SP") craft during World War I. Identifiable boats appear to include Velocipede (ex-Navy SP-1258), in the center, with bow toward camera, and Osprey II (ex-Navy SP-928) at far right. Halftone photographic reproduction published on the front cover of "The Rudder" magazine, June 1919. Courtesy of Robert F. Sumrall, 1972. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 545 pixels |
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Note: The original print for Photo # NH 102345 was marked as representing Velocipede. However, it actually shows Acoma, which was of identical design.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 4 November 2003
Minor text correction 11 April 2004