USS Scandinavia

Summary

USS Scandinavia (SP-3363) was a patrol vessel in commission in the United States Navy from 1918 to 1919, seeing service in World War I. After her U.S. Navy service, she was in commission in the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey as the survey launch USC&GS Scandinavia from 1919.

USC&GS Scandinavia operating in Southeast Alaska in 1927 during her United States Coast and Geodetic Survey service.
History
United States Navy
NameUSS Scandinavia (SP-3363)
NamesakeScandinavia, a region of northern Europe (previous name retained)
BuilderG. T. Taylor Marine Railway, Norfolk, Virginia
Completed1916
Acquired3 or 5 October 1918
Commissioned5 October 1918
Decommissioned21 May 1919
Stricken21 May 1919
FateTransferred to United States Coast and Geodetic Survey 21 May 1919
NotesIn use as civilian motorboat Scandinavia 1916–1918
U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
NameUSC&GS Scandinavia
NamesakePrevious name retained
Acquired21 May 1919
General characteristics (as U.S. Navy vessel)
TypePatrol vessel
Displacement26 tons
Length61 ft (19 m)
Beam13 ft 2 in (4.01 m)
Draft5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Propulsion2 x 4-cylinder, 45 hp (34 kW) Sterling gasoline engines, 2 x shafts
Speed8.6 or 10 knots (sources disagree)
Complement8
General characteristics (as U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey vessel)
TypeSurvey launch
CapacityBerthing for 3 people

Construction edit

Scandinavia was built as a civilian motorboat of the same name by the G. T. Taylor Marine Railway at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1916.[1][2]

United States Navy service edit

The U.S. Navy acquired Scandinavia from Bie and Schiott of Baltimore, Maryland, on either 3[2] or 5[1] October 1918 (sources disagree) for World War I service in the section patrol. The Navy commissioned her on 5 October 1918 as USS Scandinavia (SP-3363).[1][2]

The Navy assigned Scandinavia to duty with the Naval Overseas Transportation Service district supervisor at Baltimore for service as a dispatch boat and pilot boat.[1] She carried out these duties during the final five and a half weeks of World War I and for a few months in its immediate aftermath.[1] On 21 May 1919, she was decommissioned, stricken from the Navy list, and transferred to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.[1][2]

United States Coast and Geodetic Survey service edit

 
USC&GS Scandinavia participating in hydrographic survey work during her United States Coast and Geodetic Survey service, performing wire-drag operations in the Territory of Alaska in 1920.

The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey commissioned the vessel as USC&GS Scandinavia and placed her in service as a survey launch.[3][4] Photographs of Scandinavia during her Coast and Geodetic Survey career show her performing wire-drag operations in support of hydrographic survey work in the Territory of Alaska in 1920[3] and operating in Southeast Alaska in 1927.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Scandinavia
  2. ^ a b c d NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Scandinavia (SP 3363)
  3. ^ a b NOAA Photo Library: Coast and Geodetic Survey Launch SCANDINAVIA conducting wiredrag operations in Alaskan waters.
  4. ^ a b NOAA Photo Library: The launch SCANDINAVIA. Described as a fine launch but with quarters for only 3 men.

External links edit

  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Scandinavia
  • NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Scandinavia (SP 3363)
  • NOAA Photo Library: Coast and Geodetic Survey Launch SCANDINAVIA conducting wiredrag operations in Alaskan waters.
  • NOAA Photo Library: The launch SCANDINAVIA. Described as a fine launch but with quarters for only 3 men.