USS Simplicity

Summary

USS Simplicity (SP-96) was an armed motorboat that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1918.

History
United States
NameUSS Simplicity
NamesakePrevious name retained
BuilderSmith and Mabely, Astoria, New York
Completed1906
Acquired12 May 1917
Commissioned7 June 1917
Stricken19 October 1918
FateCrushed in collision 19 October 1918; hulk beached and stripped
NotesOperated as private motorboat Simplicity 1906-1917
General characteristics
TypePatrol vessel
Tonnage21 tons
Length58 ft 9 in (17.91 m)
Beam10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Draft3 ft 6 in (1.07 m)
Speed14 knots
Complement7
Armament

Simplicity was built as a civilian motorboat in 1906 by Smith and Mabely at Astoria, New York. On 12 May 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, A. S. Korter of New York City, for World War I service as a patrol boat. She was commissioned on 7 June 1917 as USS Simplicity (SP-96).

Simplicity was assigned to the Section Net Patrol at New York City, where she carried out harbor patrols during World War I

On 19 October 1918, the barge No. 78 struck and crushed Simplicity while she was alongside a United States Army pier at Fort Wadsworth, New York. Her hulk was beached and stripped by the Navy, and she was stricken from the Navy List as of 19 October 1918.

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