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

Photo #  NH 102161:  Motor boat Ethel M. Ward underway, prior to World War I


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

Ethel M. Ward (American Motor Boat, 1910).
Later renamed Rickwood.
Served as USS Rickwood (SP-597) in 1917-1919

Ethel M. Ward, a 70' 2" motor boat, was built at Port Clinton, Ohio in 1910 for use as a pleasure craft. Later renamed Rickwood, she was taken over by the U.S. Navy in June 1917 and placed in commission as USS Rickwood (SP-597). She was assigned to the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, Florida, and spent the rest of World War I on patrol, ferry, towing and rescue duties there. Rickwood was returned to her owner in March 1919 and remained in civilian employment until about 1955.

This page features our only views of the motor boat Ethel M. Ward, which was USS Rickwood (SP-597) during World War I.


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 102161

Ethel M. Ward
(American motor boat, 1910)

Underway in a harbor, prior to her World War I Navy service.
Later renamed Rickwood, this pleasure craft was acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 18 June 1917 as USS Rickwood (SP-597). She was returned to her owner on 3 March 1919.

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

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 485 pixels

 


Note: The Ships' Histories Branch of the Naval Historical Center holds one other pre-World War I photograph of the motor boat Ethel M. Ward.
This view was taken from off her starboard side, slightly toward the stern, from a height of about twenty-five feet. Several people are on deck, ladies seated aft and men standing forward.
This print is mounted on the "SP" data card for USS Rickwood (SP-597).


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


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Page made 19 January 2003