Summary
USS Charles P. Kuper (SP-1235) was a United States Navy tug in service from 1917 to 1919.
 Charles P. Kuper ca. 1917, probably in New York Harbor, either just before or just after she entered United States Navy service as USS Charles P. Kuper (SP-1235).
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USS Charles P. Kuper |
| Namesake | Previous name retained |
| Builder | Browne, Tottenville, Staten Island, New York |
| Completed | 1892 |
| Acquired | August 1917 |
| In service | 1917 |
| Fate | Returned to owner 21 July 1919 |
| Notes | Operated as commercial tug C. Offerman and Charles P. Kuper 1892-1917 and Charles P. Kuper from 1919 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Tug |
| Tonnage | 51 Gross register tons |
| Length | 62 ft 5 in (19.02 m) |
| Beam | 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m) |
| Draft | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
| Propulsion | Steam engine, one shaft |
| Complement | 4 |
| Armament | None |
Charles P. Kuper was built as the commercial tug C. Offerman in 1892 by Browne at Tottenville on Staten Island, New York. On 29 November 1906, she was sold to the Simmons Lighterage Company[1] of New York City, which renamed her Charles P. Kuper.
In August 1917, the U.S. Navy chartered Charles P. Kuper from her owner, the Simmons Transportation Company[2] of New York City for use during World War I. She entered service as USS Charles P. Kuper (SP-1235) in 1917.
Assigned to the 3rd Naval District and based at New York City, Charles P. Kuper served in New York Harbor under the control of the Supply Department for the rest of World War I and into 1919.
The Navy returned Charles P. Kuper to Simmons Transportation[3] on 21 July 1919.
Notes edit
- ^ NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Charles P. Kuper (SP 1235).
- ^ Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: U.S. Navy Ships: Charles P. Kuper (American Harbor Tug, 1892). Previously named C. Offerman. Served as USS Charles P. Kuper (SP-1235) in 1917-1919 gives this name for Charles P. Kuper's owner in 1917, which differs from the name given by NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Charles P. Kuper (SP 1235) for 1906 (see note 1).
- ^ Both Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: U.S. Navy Ships: Charles P. Kuper (American Harbor Tug, 1892). Previously named C. Offerman. Served as USS Charles P. Kuper (SP-1235) in 1917-1919 and NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Charles P. Kuper (SP 1235) agree on this name for Charles P. Kuper's owner in 1919.
References edit
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: U.S. Navy Ships: Charles P. Kuper (American Harbor Tug, 1892). Previously named C. Offerman. Served as USS Charles P. Kuper (SP-1235) in 1917-1919
- NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Charles P. Kuper (SP 1235)