USS Secret

Summary

USS Secret (SP-1063) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.

USS Secret, circa 1917
USS Secret (SP-1063) during World War I. Several barges are in the background.
History
United States
NameUSS Secret
NamesakePrevious name retained
BuilderWilliam E. Haff, New Rochelle, New York
Completed1917
Acquired28 May 1917
Commissioned28 May 1917
Decommissioned30 December 1918
FateReturned to owner 30 December 1918
NotesOperated as private motorboat Secret 1916-1917 and from 1918
General characteristics
TypePatrol vessel
Length37 ft (11 m)
Beam7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
Draft2 ft (0.61 m)
Speed22 miles per hour[1]

Secret was built as a private motorboat of the same name in 1916 by William E. Haff at New Rochelle, New York. On 28 May 1917, the U.S. Navy leased her from her owner, John S. Baker of Short Hills, New Jersey, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I. She was commissioned the same day as USS Secret (SP-1063).

Assigned to the 5th Naval District, Secret served as a dispatch boat. She also served as a rescue boat at Naval Air Station Anacostia in Washington, D.C.

Secret was decommissioned on 30 December 1918 and was returned to Baker the same day.

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships at http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s9/secret.htm and NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Secret (SP 1063) give Secret's speed as 22 miles per hour, implying statute miles per hour, an unusual unit of measure for the speed of a watercraft. It is possible that her speed actually was 22 knots. If 22 statute miles per hour is accurate, the equivalent in knots is 19.

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: USS Secret (SP-1063), 1917-1918. Previously the civilian motor boat Secret.
  • NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Secret (SP 1063)

External links edit

  • Photo gallery of USS Secret at NavSource Naval History