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

Photo #  NH 99483:  Steam yacht Seneca crowded with people, prior to her World War I era Navy service


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

Seneca (Steam Yacht, 1888).
Served as USS Seneca (SP-427) and USS SP-427 in 1917-1919

Seneca, a 157 gross ton steam yacht, was built at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1888. She was purchased by the Navy in May 1917 from her owner, the Johnson Lighterage Company of New York City, for the nominal sum of $1.00. Placed in commission as USS Seneca (SP-427) in mid-July 1917, she served for the rest of World War I as a section patrol vessel and minesweeper, based at Tomkinsville, Staten Island, New York. Renamed SP-427 in 1918, she was decommissioned in early January 1919 and sold back to her former owner for $100.00.

This page features the only view we have concerning the steam yacht Seneca, which served as USS Seneca (SP-427) and USS SP-427 in 1917-1919.


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 99483

Seneca
(American Steam Yacht, 1888)

Halftone reproduction of a pre-World War I photograph, showing her decks crowded with people.
This yacht was USS Seneca (SP-427) and USS SP-427 in 1917-1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 360 pixels

 


The following photograph shows a converted yacht that MAY be USS SP-427 (formerly USS Seneca):

Photo #: NH 53708-A

Patrol Vessel (converted yacht)


In New York Harbor, near the Statue of Liberty, in February 1919. Judging by the fenders at her bow and along her sides, she may be operating as a tug.
This small ex-yacht may be USS SP-427 (formerly USS Seneca), which was based at nearby Tomkinsville, on Staten Island, and was quite similar in appearance. However, Seneca was decommissioned in early January 1919, more than a month before this photograph was taken. It is possible the date of the photograph is incorrect, or that this vessel, if it really is Seneca, may have already been back in civilian employment. It will be noted that she apparently does not display an "SP" number on her bow.
This image is cropped from Photo # NH 53708.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 585 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 22 August 2004
New image added 16 October 2005