USS Thistle (SP-1058)

Summary

The second USS Thistle (SP-1058) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.

History
United States
NameUSS Thistle
NamesakePrevious name retained
BuilderNew York Yacht, Launch & Engine Company, Morris Heights, the Bronx, New York
Completed1907
Acquired17 August 1917
Commissioned26 December 1917
FateOrdered returned to owner 6 July 1918
NotesOperated as private motorboat Thistle 1907-1917 and from 1918
General characteristics
TypePatrol vessel
Tonnage41 Gross register tons
Length70 ft (21 m)
Beam12 ft (3.7 m)
Draft4 ft 0 in (1.22 m) aft
Speed13 miles per hour[1]
Complement9
Armament

Thistle was built as a private wooden-hulled motorboat of the same name in 1907 by the New York Yacht, Launch & Engine Company at Morris Heights in the Bronx, New York. On 17 August 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, William Emmerich of New York City, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I. She was commissioned as USS Thistle (SP-1058) on 26 December 1917.

Assigned to the 3rd Naval District, Thistle patrolled the coast and harbors between New London, Connecticut, and Barnegat, New Jersey.

Ultimately, Thistle was found to be unsuitable for naval service. On 6 July 1918, the Commandant, 3rd Naval District, ordered her to be returned to Emmerich.

Notes edit

  1. ^ The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships[1] and NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Thistle (SP 1058) give Thistle's speed as 13 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 13 knots. If 13 statute miles per hour is accurate, the equivalent in knots is 11.3.

References edit