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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 Margaret (SP-527), 1917-1921 --
Voyage from the U.S. to the Azores, November-December 1917
On 4 November 1917 USS Margaret and several other Navy
ships set out from Newport, Rhode Island, on the first leg of
what would prove an eventful voyage across the Atlantic. On this
stage of the trip Margaret's companions included the tender
Hannibal and five other
yachts converted to patrol vessels: Helenita
(SP-210), May (SP-164), Rambler (SP-211), Utowana
(SP-951) and Wenonah
(SP-165). Each of the six former yachts towed an American-built
French submarine chaser, 110-foot craft with insufficient range
for long trips. Though Helenita, Margaret, May and Utowana broke down along the way, the little flotilla reached Hamilton, Bermuda, on 9 November.
Following rest and repairs, the group set out again on 18 November,
bound for the Azores. Helenita and Utowana remained
at Bermuda, but their absence was made up by the addition of three
more ex-yachts: Artemis
(SP-593), Cythera (SP-575)
and Lydonia (SP-700).
The submarine chasers were also present. When leaving, Wenonah
was being towed by May and, soon afterwards, Margaret
had to be taken in tow by Cythera. She was pulled along
for most of what was at times a stormy passage. Despite their
troubles, the ships and their subchaser charges arrived at Horta,
on the Azores island of Fayal, on 5 December. Most, if not all,
soon proceeded to nearby Ponta Delgada and some of them, Margaret
not included, left for Gibraltar later in December. The entire
trip was one of numerous World War I experiences with the unreliability
of many former yachts when subjected to the rigorous demands of
wartime Naval service.
This page features, and provides links to, all the views
we have concerning USS Margaret's November-December 1917
trip from Newport, Rhode Island, to Bermuda and the Azores.
For more photographs related to USS Margaret, among
them other views directly involving the voyage presented on this
page, see:
USS Margaret (SP-527), 1917-1921.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 46592
USS Margaret (SP-527)
Scene on board as a tow line is passed to a submarine chaser,
in Long Island Sound, October 1917.
Margaret was under tow for most of her passage from Newport,
Rhode Island, to Bermuda.
Photographed by Raymond D. Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 455 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 53164
USS Margaret (SP-527)
Crewman throwing a heaving line to a French submarine chaser,
preparatory to taking her in tow en route from Newport, Rhode
Island, to Bermuda in November 1917.
Officer second from left is Margaret's Commanding Officer,
Lieutenant Commander Frank Jack Fletcher.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 46KB; 445 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 46586
USS Utowana (SP-951)
Standing by USS Margaret (SP-527), while she was disabled
at sea in passage from Newport, Rhode Island, to Bermuda in November
1917.
Photographed by Raymond D. Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
|
 |
Photo #: NH 46437
USS May (SP-164)
At Bermuda in November 1917.
Photographed from USS Margaret (SP-527).
Courtesy of Raymond D. Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 440 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 46400
U.S. Navy converted yachts and other small ships
En route from Bermuda to the Azores, November 1917.
Photographed from USS Margaret (SP-527) by Raymond D.
Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 435 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 55550
USS Cythera (SP-575)
Preparing to take USS Margaret (SP-527) in tow, during
their passage from Bermuda to the Azores in November 1917. She
towed Margaret for thirteen of the nineteen days of this
voyage.
Another converted yacht is visible in the center distance.
Photographed from on board Margaret by Raymond D. Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 445 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 55551
USS Cythera (SP-575)
Just after her tow line to USS Margaret (SP-527) had parted,
during their passage from Bermuda to the Azores in November 1917.
She towed Margaret for thirteen of the nineteen days of
this voyage.
Photographed from on board Margaret by Raymond D. Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 59KB; 445 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 48479
USS Wenonah (SP-165)
Steams through heavy seas while en route from Bermuda to the
Azores in November 1917.
Photographed from USS Margaret (SP-527) by Raymond D.
Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 54KB; 740 x 410 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 48482
USS Wenonah (SP-165)
Seen from USS Margaret (SP-527) while steaming through
heavy seas en route from Bermuda to the Azores, November 1917.
Photographed by Raymond D. Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 450 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 48481
USS Wenonah (SP-165)
In heavy seas while en route from Bermuda to the Azores in November
1917.
Two other converted yachts are visible in the background.
Photographed from USS Margaret (SP-527) by Raymond D.
Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 445 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 48480
USS Wenonah (SP-165)
Almost completely hidden by heavy seas, while en route from Bermuda
to the Azores in November 1917.
Photographed from USS Margaret (SP-527) by Raymond D.
Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 59KB; 740 x 440 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 46599
U.S. Navy converted yachts and other small ships
En route from Bermuda to the Azores in November 1917.
The converted yacht in the center appears to be USS Wenonah
(SP-165).
Photographed from USS Margaret (SP-527) by Raymond D.
Borden.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 440 pixels |
 |
For more photographs related to USS Margaret, among
them other views directly involving the voyage presented on this
page, see:
USS Margaret (SP-527), 1917-1921.
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
Page made 31 October 2004
Caption updated and links added 6 November 2004