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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:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
USS Commander (SP-1247), 1918-1919.
Originally the Civilian Motor Boat Commander (1917)
USS Commander, a 61.2-foot motor boat, was built in
1917 by the Beele Wallace Company at Morehead City, North Carolina,
apparently as a sightseeing craft. In September 1917 she was leased
by the Navy and placed in commission in early January 1918. During
the next thirteen months, she was employed as a harbor utility
vessel by the New York Navy Yard and the Naval Air Station at
Rockaway, New York. Decommissioned in early February 1919, Commander
was soon returned to her owner, P. Howard Reid of Sheepshead Bay,
Brooklyn, New York.
This page features the only views we have concerning USS
Commander (SP-1247) and the civilian motor boat Commander
of 1917.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 100872
Commmander (American Motor Boat, 1917)
Photographed prior to her World War I era Naval service. She
appears to be fitted for use as a sightseeing boat.
This craft was acquired by the Navy on 17 September 1917 and
placed in commission on 3 January 1918 as USS Commander
(SP-1247). She was decommissioned on 5 February 1919 and returned
to her owner, P. Howard Reid of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New
York, on 6 February.
The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 100873
USS Commmander (SP-1247)
In an icy harbor, probably in the New York City area, on 31 December
1917, after being modified for Naval use. She was placed in commission
on 3 January 1918.
USS SC-337 is tied up alongside and a Pittsburgh
class armored cruiser is partially visible in the immediate background.
The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 420 pixels |
 |
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Page made 24 March 2005