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USS Aileen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
USS Aileen moored at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, after being fitted for naval service, 21 May 1898. The ship getting underway is Viking, another yacht converted for use in the Spanish–American War.
History
United States
NameAileen
BuilderDelaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works, Chester, PA
Launched1896
Acquired28 April 1898
Commissioned14 May 1898
Decommissioned5 July 1919
Stricken12 August 1919
FateSold 20 November 1920 to Tams, Lemoin and Crane of New York City. Fate unknown
General characteristics
Typearmed yacht
Displacement192 long tons (195 t)
Length120 ft (37 m)
Beam20 ft (6.1 m)
Draft8 ft (2.4 m)
Speed14 kn (26 km/h)
Complement33
Sensors and
processing systems

USS Aileen was a steam yacht built in 1896 at the Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works shipyard in Chester, Pennsylvania, by John Roach & Sons. The United States Navy bought her on 28 April 1898; converted her for naval service at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned her there on 14 May 1898.

Service history

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Found unfit for cruising the open seas, Aileen served on coastal defense through the Spanish–American War. On 18 May 1899, the converted yacht was transferred to the New York Naval Militia on loan for use as a training ship. On 18 November 1909, the New York Naval Militia returned Aileen to the Navy. She was placed in service at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Navy Yard on 30 April 1910; but, sometime later that year, the yacht was transferred to the Rhode Island Naval Militia and served the state of Rhode Island training naval militiamen until the US entered World War I on 6 April 1917. The following day, Aileen was reacquired by the Navy and placed in commission once again. For the duration of the war, she served in the 2nd Naval District, patrolling the New England coastline between New London, Connecticut and Block Island Sound. After February 1919, she operated from New London with the Reserve Squadron, anti-submarine Squadrons, engaged in training missions. She was decommissioned on 5 July 1919 and, 18 days later, was ordered sold. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 12 August. On 20 November 1920, she was sold to Tarns, Lemoin & Crane, of New York City.

References

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  • Eger, Christopher L (March 2021). "Hudson Fulton Celebration, Part II". Warship International. LVIII (1): 58–81. ISSN 0043-0374.
  • Public Domain This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
  • NavSource Online: Patrol Yacht Photo Archive Patrol Yacht Aileen