Wakiva (II), an 853 gross ton steam yacht, was built at Leith, Scotland, in 1907. She was active in American yachting circles until July 1917, when the U.S. Navy acquired her from Harry S. Harkness of New York City. Converted to a patrol vessel, she was placed in commission in August as USS Wakiva (SP-160). Also called Wakiva II while in Navy service, she steamed across the Atlantic to France during late August and September. Operating out of the port of Brest, she was employed on anti-submarine patrol and convoy excort duty. On 28 October 1917 Wakiva assisted in rescuing survivors from the damaged transport Finland. She attacked an enemy U-boat in late November 1917, apparently badly damaging or sinking the submarine, and fired on another on 12 February 1918, forcing it to submerge. On the night of 22 May 1918, while steaming with a convoy during a fog, Wakiva was rammed by the Navy cargo ship Wabash (ID # 1824). Flooding beyond the capacity of her pumps, she soon sank. Two of Wakiva's crew lost their lives in this accident.
This page features all the views we have concerning USS Wakiva (SP-160) and the civilian yacht Wakiva (II) of 1907.
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 103478 Wakiva (II) (American Steam Yacht, 1907) Photographed prior to World War I. Built by Ramsey & Ferguson of Leith, Scotland, in 1907, this yacht was acquired by the Navy from her owner, H.S. Harkness of New York City, on 20 July 1917. She was placed in commission on 6 August 1917 as USS Wakiva (SP-160). Also called Wakiva II, she was lost in collision with USS Wabash (ID # 1824) on 22 May 1918. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 34KB; 740 x 285 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 549 USS Wakiva (SP-160) At the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, on 22 August 1917, showing searchlight platform fitted to her foremast. The mizzenmast of USS Constitution is visible in the left background, with a camouflaged submarine chaser between it and the camera. See Photo #: NH 549-A for a cropped version of this photograph, emphasizing the sub chaser. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 93KB; 580 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105580 USS Wakiva (SP-160) In dry dock at Brest, France, circa 1918. Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in USS Wakiva (SP-160) during World War I. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 57KB; 530 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 85730 USS Wakiva (SP-160) -- Also called Wakiva II. Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken in 1917-1918, while Wakiva was escorting a convoy. While so engaged on 22 May 1918, she was sunk in collision with USS Wabash (ID # 1824). Courtesy of Alfred Cellier, 1977. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 495 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 41745 USS Alcedo (SP-166), left center, and USS Wakiva II (SP-160), at right Picking up survivors in 1917. This photograph was probably taken on 28 October 1917, when these two converted yachts picked up men who had left the torpedoed transport Finland. The two-stacked ship in the center distance, beyond Alcedo's bow, appears to have four masts and is probably Finland, which survived the incident and later served as USS Finland (ID # 4543). USS Alcedo was torpedoed and sunk on 5 November 1917. Courtesy of Mr. W.D. Porter, November 1937. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 43KB; 740 x 460 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105581 USS Wakiva (SP-160) View on board, looking forward from the mainmast, circa 1918. Wakiva's smokestack is in the foreground, with her bridge just beyond. Two "menhadden fisherman" type minesweepers are alongside, to port. Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in USS Wakiva (SP-160) during World War I. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 450 pixels Note: Though the original print was labeled USS Carola IV (SP-812), this ship is actually the much larger Wakiva. |
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Photo #: NH 105582 USS Wakiva (SP-160) Gun crew on watch, circa 1918. This gun is presumably a 3"/50 type. Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in USS Wakiva (SP-160) during World War I. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 535 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105583 USS Wakiva (SP-160) One of the ship's guns, presumably a 3"/50 type, circa 1918. Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in USS Wakiva (SP-160) during World War I. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 540 pixels |
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Related image: Photo # NH 105585 was presumably taken from USS Wakiva circa May 1918.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 29 January 2006
New images added 24 March 2008