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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 --
Panama (American Motor Boat, 1914).
Served as USS Panama (SP-101) in 1917-1920
Panama, a 78-foot motor boat, was built at Key West,
Florida, in 1914. Prior to World War I she was extensively used
for laying and repairing telegraph cable in the vicinity of Key
West and may have also been employed in passenger service. The
Navy acquired the craft in April 1917 and placed her in commission
a month later as USS Panama (SP-101). She operated out
of Key West through the First World War I, voyaging as far away
as the Panama Canal Zone. USS Panama was transferred to
the U.S. Department of Agriculture in November 1920.
This page features our only views of the motor boat Panama,
which served as USS Panama (SP-101) during the World War
I era.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 102111
Panama (U.S. Motor Boat, 1914)
Possibly photographed at the time of her launching, circa 1914.
This craft was acquired by the Navy on 29 April 1917 and commissioned
on 26 May 1917 as USS Panama (SP-101). She was transferred
to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on 6 December 1920.
The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 470 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 42996
Panama (American Motor Boat, 1914)
Photographed in a Florida port, prior to World War I.
She served as USS Panama (SP-101) in 1917-1920.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 440 pixels |
 |
Note: The Ships' Histories Branch of the Naval Historical
Center holds two other views of Panama, both taken before
she entered Navy service:
One photograph appears to have been taken at the same time
as Photo # 102111 (seen above), possibly just before Panama
was launched. The view is from off the boat's port quarter, showing
her entire underwater hull. Her name is clearly seen on the transom.
The other photograph shows Panama in port, probably
at Key West, Florida, with a sign behind her advertising boat
service "Key West to Miami". She is seen from off her
starboard side, somewhat toward the bow, with a large lifeboat
suspended from davits just aft of her forecastle break. Several
men are standing on deck.
These prints are mounted on the "SP" data card for
Panama (SP-101). |
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Page made 14 September 2002