USS Helena I (SP-24)

USS Helena I (SP-24) was an armed yacht that served the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917-1919.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Helena.
History
United States
Name: USS Helena I
Namesake: Previous name retained
Builder: Van Sant Brothers, Port Republic, New Jersey
Completed: 1906
Acquired: May 1917
Commissioned: 7 September 1917
Decommissioned: 27 August 1919
Stricken: 4 October 1919
Fate:
  • Sold, 27 August 1919
  • Wrecked prior to delivery to new owner, 11 September 1919
Notes: Operated as private motor yacht Helena I 1906-1917
General characteristics
Type: Patrol vessel
Displacement: 9 long tons (9.1 t)
Length: 43 ft (13 m)
Beam: 10 ft (3.0 m)
Draft: 3 ft (0.91 m) (mean)
Speed: 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h)
Armament: 1 × machine gun

Helena I was built in 1906 by the Van Sant Brothers, Port Republic, New Jersey, as a private motor yacht. The U.S. Navy acquired her from Dr. W. G. Hall of Trenton, New Jersey, in May 1917 for World War I service. Assigned to the 7th Naval District, she was taken to Key West, Florida, and commissioned as the USS Helena I (SP-24) on 7 September 1917. Quartermaster 2nd Class Otis Curry was placed in command.

Helena I operated as a harbor and coastal patrol boat in the vicinity of Key West, until decommissioned and sold on 27 August 1919. Before she could be delivered to her new owner, however, Helena I was among eight former SP boats wrecked on 11 September by the 1919 Florida Keys Hurricane, while anchored in the North Beach Basin, Key West. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 4 October 1919

References

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