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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- CIVILIAN SHIPS --
Blue Bird (American Motor Boat, 1911).
Previously named Houqua and (perhaps) Parthenia.
Served as USS Blue Bird (SP-465) in 1917-1919
Houqua, a 72-foot motor pleasure boat, was built at
Port Clinton, Ohio, in 1911. She was later renamed Parthenia
(perhaps) and Blue Bird. In late June 1917 she was leased
by the Navy for World War I service. Commissioned as USS Blue
Bird (SP-465) in mid-December 1917, the craft was based at
Brooklyn, New York, for the next two years, performing transportation
and security functions. She was returned to her owner in early
February 1919 and remained in use as a pleasure craft until about
1950.
This page features the only views we have of the motor boat
Blue Bird, formerly named Houqua and (perhaps) Parthenia,
which served as USS Blue Bird (SP-465) in 1917-1919.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 95903
Blue Bird (American Motor Boat, 1911)
Underway prior to World War I.
Previously named Parthenia, this pleasure craft was acquired
by the Navy on 25 June 1917 and placed in commision as USS Blue
Bird (SP-465) on 17 December 1917. She was returned to her
owner on 7 February 1919.
The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 102370
USS Westchester (ID # 3103)
In port, circa the late summer or fall of 1918.
Built in 1896, this small tug (seen in the center of the photograph)
was chartered by the Navy on 4 September 1918 and returned to
her owner on 14 August 1919.
Though Westchester's data card gives her number as ID
3103, "S.P. 3103" is painted on her bow.
USS Progressive (ID # 2003) is tied up alongside Westchester.
The bow of USS Blue Bird (SP-465) is visible at left.
USS Mustang (SP-36) is in the left middle distance.
The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 530 pixels |
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Page made 14 March 2004