USS California (SP-647)

USS California (SP-647) – later known as USS SP-647 – was originally a motorboat used by the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association as a pilot boat. She was leased by the Navy, and outfitted as an armed section patrol craft, assigned to patrol and protect San Francisco harbor. At war's end, she was returned to the pilot's association.

For other ships with the same name, see USS California.
California (American Motor Boat, 1910) in port, probably at San Francisco, California, prior to her World War I era Naval service.
History
United States
Name: USS California
Namesake: California, which was admitted to the Union 8 September 1850 as the 31st State
Owner: the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association
Laid down: date unknown
Completed: in 1910 at San Francisco, California
Acquired: leased by the Navy in the spring of 1917
Commissioned: 28 April 1917
Decommissioned: 23 November 1918
Renamed: USS SP-647
Stricken: 23 November 1918 (est.)
Homeport: San Francisco, California
Fate: returned to the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association in November 1918
General characteristics
Type: Motorboat
Displacement: not known
Length: 58' 2"
Beam: not known
Draft: not known
Propulsion: not known
Complement: not known
Armament: not known

A California pilot boat

California, a 58' 2" motorboat, was built in 1910 at San Francisco, California, for local employment as a pilot boat. She was leased from the San Francisco Bar Pilot's Association and commissioned in the Navy as USS California (SP-647) on 28 April 1917.

World War I service

The fourth ship to be so named by the U.S. Navy, California (No. 647), served Section Patrol duties during the war. Later renamed USS SP-647, the motor boat performed harbor patrol duties and acted as guard boat for Pier 29 at San Francisco until 23 November 1918

Decommissioning

California (No. 647) was returned to the San Francisco Bar Pilot's Association on 23 November 1918.

Additional photos

The San Francisco Maritime Museum, located in the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, holds additional photographs of the pilot boat California in its Livingston Collection.

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See also
  • California (schooner) (San Francisco Bar Pilots Association pilot boat 1931–1972)
  • U.S. Navy
  • World War I

References
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