USS Idylease (SP-119) was a motor yacht leased by the U.S. Navy during World War I. She was outfitted as a patrol craft and was assigned to the Hampton Roads and Norfolk, Virginia, waterways. Post-war, she was restored to her civilian configuration and returned to her owner.
 Idylease (American Motor Boat, 1916) probably in New York Harbor, c. 1916-1917.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USS Idylease |
| Namesake | A former name retained |
| Owner | Richard Goldsmith of New York City |
| Builder | Kyle and Purdy, City Island, New York |
| Christened | as the pleasure motor boat Idylease |
| Completed | 1916 |
| Acquired | leased by the Navy, June 1917 |
| Commissioned | 9 July 1917 |
| Decommissioned | c. April 1919 |
| Stricken | c. April 1919 |
| Homeport | |
| Fate | Returned to her owner at Norfolk 30 April 1919 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Yacht |
| Tonnage | 29 tons |
| Length | 65 ft (20 m) |
| Beam | 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) |
| Draft | 2 ft 6 in (0.76 m) |
| Propulsion | motor |
| Speed | 10 knots |
| Complement | not known |
| Armament | One 1-pounder gun |
Constructed in New York
editIdylease (SP-119), a 65-foot motor yacht, was built in 1916 by Kyle and Purdy, City Island, New York as the civilian pleasure motor boat of the same name; acquired by the Navy from Richard Goldsmith of New York City in June 1917, and commissioned 9 July 1917.
World War I service
editAssigned to the 5th Naval District for the rest of World War I and during the initial post-war months, Idylease performed patrol and radio inspection duties in Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Virginia, and on the Elizabeth River during the war.
Post-war disposition
editShe was returned to her owner at Norfolk 30 April 1919.
References
edit
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.- USS Idylease (SP-119), 1917-1919. Previously Civilian Motor Boat Idylease (1916)
