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Photo # NH 102167:  USS Russ at anchor, probably in Florida waters, circa 1917-1919

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Russ (SP-1151), 1917-1921.
Originally the civilian motor boat Greenport Hull 278

USS Russ, a 60-foot motor patrol craft, was built in 1917 at Greenport, Long Island, for the Russian Government. She was taken over by the Navy and placed in commission under the name Greenport Hull 278 in late October 1917. Renamed Russ in late November, she served during and after World War I in the New York harbor area and in Florida waters. Russ was sold in March 1921 and was thereafter used for civilian pursuits. She was destroyed by fire in March 1924 at St. John's Bar, Florida.

This page features our only views of USS Russ (SP-1151).

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 101363

Greenport Hull 278
(American Motor Boat, 1917)

Photographed in 1917, after she was completed by the Greenport Basin and Construction Company, Greenport, Long Island, New York, and probably after she was acquired by the U.S. Navy. The marking "S.P. 63" on her stern (partially lined out on the original print) is not her U.S. Navy number.
Originally built for the Russian Government, this craft was taken over by the U.S. Navy on 30 October 1917 and commissioned one day later. She was renamed USS Russ (SP-1151) on 28 November 1917, stricken on 17 June 1919, and sold on 29 March 1921.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 485 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102167

USS Russ (SP-1151)


At anchor, probably in Florida waters, circa 1917-1919.
Originally built for the Russian Government, this craft was taken over by the U.S. Navy on 30 October 1917 and commissioned one day later as Greenport Hull 278 (or simply Number 278). She was renamed Russ on 28 November 1917, stricken on 17 June 1919, and sold on 29 March 1921.

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

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 510 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-1017184

USS Russ (SP-1151)
, at left,
and
USS Velocipede (SP-1258), at right

At Miami, Florida, 27 June 1918.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 600 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 


The following photographs show what is probably Greenport Hull 278, later USS Russ (SP--1151), in the background of views of other subjects:

Photo #: NH 101058

U.S. Navy Motor Torpedo Boat


In a Northeastern yacht basin (probably at Greenport, Long Island, New York), circa summer 1917.
This is probably C-250, a 50-foot experimental torpedo boat purchased from the Greenport Basin & Construction Company soon after the U.S. entered World War I. Note the trainable torpedo tube mounted on her after deck.
The boat behind her, with number "63"painted on her pilothouse and a life ring marked "SP 63", is not USS Rivalen (SP-63), but is probably Greenport Hull 278, which later became USS Russ (SP-1151).

Collection of Robert S. Waters. Donated by Mrs. Alice W. Thomas, 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 525 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 98347

USS Uncas (SP-689)


Sailors on deck amidships, probably at Greenport, Long Island, New York, circa summer 1917.
The craft astern, bearing the number "SP 63", is probably Greenport Hull 278, which later became USS Russ (SP-1151). She is definitely not USS Rivalen (SP-63).

Collection of Robert S. Waters. Donated by Mrs. Alice W. Thomas, 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 495 pixels

 


In addition to the images presented above, the National Archives appears to hold at least one other view of USS Russ (SP-1151). The following list features this image:

The image listed below is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".



  • Photo #: 80-G-1017183
    Russ (SP-1151) off Dinner Kay, Miami, Florida, 2 July 1918. Air station hangars and other buildings are on shore behind her.
    Port bow aerial low aerial view, showing Russ with an awning rigged on a framework above her after deck.

    Reproductions of this image should be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system for pictures not held by the Naval Historical Center.

    The image listed in this box is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


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


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    Page made 15 March 2001
    New images added 30 March 2003