USS Dawn (SP-26)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Dawn.

USS Dawn (SP-26)
Dawn as a private pleasure craft sometime between 1914 and 1917, prior to her U.S. Navy service
History
United States
NameUSS Dawn
NamesakePrevious name retained
BuilderHehre and Aker, Clason Point, The Bronx, New York
Completed1914
Acquired19 June 1917
Commissioned19 June 1917
FateReturned to owner 4 April 1918
NotesOperated as private motorboat Dawn 1914-1917 and from 1918
General characteristics
TypeRepair boat
Length51 ft (16 m)
Installed power60-horsepower (0.045-megawatt) gasoline engine; 20-horsepower (0.015-megawatt) electric motor
PropulsionElectric drive, with gasoline engine driving generator to power electric motor; one shaft
Speed9 knots

Note: This ship should not be confused with USS Dawn (SP-37), a yawl ordered delivered to the United States Navy in 1917 but never commissioned into service.

The second USS Dawn (SP-26) was a motorboat that served in the United States Navy as a repair boat from 1917 to 1918.

Dawn was built in 1914 by Hehre and Aker at Clason Point in The Bronx, New York, as a private motorboat of the same name. The U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, W. T. Donnelley of Brooklyn, New York, on 19 June 1917 for World War I service as a repair boat, deeming her electric-drive propulsion plant suitable for furnishing electric power for lighting, machine shop work, or repairs. She was commissioned as USS Dawn (SP-26) on 19 June 1917, the day of her acquisition from Donnelley.

Dawn was assigned to the 2nd Naval District. Apparently she did not prove satisfactory in service, for a January 1918 U.S. Navy note commented that the Navy had decided to return her to her owner.

The Navy returned Dawn to Donnelley on 4 April 1918.

References