USS Sovereign (SP-170)

The second USS Sovereign (SP-170) was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1918 to 1919.

Sovereign as a civilian yacht sometime between 1911 and 1918, prior to her U.S. Navy service.
History
United States
NameUSS Sovereign
NamesakePrevious name retained
BuilderCharles L. Seabury and Company, Morris Heights, the Bronx, New York
Completed1911
Acquired14 June 1918
Commissioned1918
Stricken23 April 1919
FateReturned to owner 1919
NotesOperated as civilian yacht Sovereign 1911-1918 and from 1919
General characteristics
TypePatrol vessel
Tonnage173 Gross register tons
Length166 ft (51 m)
Beam16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
Draft4 ft 6 in (1.37 m) aft
Depth9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
PropulsionSteam turbine, one shaft
Speed29 miles per hour[1]
Armament2 × 3-inch (76.2-millimeter) guns

Sovereign was built as a civilian yacht of the same name in 1911 by Charles L. Seabury and Company at Morris Heights in the Bronx, New York, for private use as a pleasure and commuting vessel. Prior to the entry of the United States into World War I in April 1917, Sovereign was registered with the U.S. Navy for potential service in time of war, and the Navy acquired her from the estate of M. C. D. Borden on 14 June 1918 for World War I service as a patrol vessel. She was commissioned as USS Sovereign (SP-170).

Sovereign served the 3rd Naval District as a patrol craft in the New York City area for ten months.

On 23 April 1919, Sovereign was stricken from the Navy List, and soon thereafter she was returned to her owner's estate.

Notes

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  1. ^ Sources (see the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships at http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s15/sovereign-ii.htm, the Naval Historical Center Online Library of Selected Images at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-civil/civsh-s/sovergn.htm, and NavSource Online at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170170.htm) cite a speed of 29 "miles per hour", implying a speed in statute miles per hour, which is very unusual for a watercraft. It is possible that her speed was 29 knots; if her speed actually was 29 statute miles per hour, the equivalent in knots is 25.

References

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