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

Photo #  NH 100235:  Motor boat Elizabeth in port, possibly during her World War I era Navy service


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

Elizabeth (American Motor Boat, 1916).
Served in the U.S. Navy as Elizabeth (SP-972) in 1917-1919

Elizabeth, a 53'1" motor boat, was built in 1916 at West Norfolk, Virginia, apparently as a ship chandler's workboat. She was ordered delivered to the Navy in August 1917 and entered Fifth Naval District service, in non-commissioned status, sometime thereafter. On 12 December 1917, while in Norfolk harbor, she was sunk in collision with the steamship Northland. The accident took two lives, but Elizabeth was raised, repaired and returned to service. Ordered sold in the post-World War I drawdown of Naval forces, in late May 1919 she was placed "in commission in ordinary". However, Elizabeth was withdrawn from sale in October 1919 and, in November, transferred to the War Department for use by the U.S. Army.

This page features the only view we have of the motor boat Elizabeth, which served in the U.S. Navy in 1917-1919 as Elizabeth (SP-972).


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 100235

Elizabeth
(American Motor Boat, 1916)

In port, possibly during her World War I era U.S. Navy service as Elizabeth (SP-972). She was delivered to the Navy on 4 October 1917 and turned over to the War Department on 10 November 1919.
Astern is USS Idylease SP-119, which was built in 1916, taken over by the Navy on 12 July 1917 and returned to her owner on 30 April 1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 475 pixels

 


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


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Page made 20 July 2003