USS Emeline

USS Emeline (SP-175) was a steam yacht acquired by the United States Navy in World War I. She was outfitted with military equipment, including 3-inch guns, and was commissioned as a patrol craft, assigned to protect shipping in the North Atlantic Ocean. She saved the lives of survivors of shipwrecks, and provided escort protection from German submarines for commercial ships. Post-war she was sold to the highest bidder, who had the yacht sail to San Diego, California, for delivery.

USS Emeline (SP-175)
History
United States
Name	USS Emeline
Namesake	A name retained
Owner	Robert Graves of New York City
Port of registry	New York
Builder	Ailsa Shipbuilding Co, Troon
Yard number	78
Launched	28 December 1898
Christened	as Katoomba
Acquired	10 June 1917
Commissioned	14 July 1917
Decommissioned	19 May 1919
Renamed	1902: Rivera, 1910: Emeline, 1920: Katharine R., 1927: Camina
Stricken	circa 1920
Homeport	Brest, France New London, Connecticut
Fate	Sold on 9 October 1920 to a San Diego, California, buyer
General characteristics
Type	steam yacht
Tonnage	408 GRT, 174 NRT
Length	196 ft (60 m) overall 175.3 ft (53.4 m) registered
Beam	24.15 ft (7.36 m)
Draft	12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
Depth	13.75 ft (4.19 m)
Installed power	105 NHP
Propulsion	1 × triple-expansion engine 1 × screw
Sail plan	schooner
Speed	10 kn (19 km/h)
Complement	72
Armament	2 × 3-inch (76 mm) guns

Built in Scotland

Emeline (No. 175), a yacht, was built as Katoomba in 1898 by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon, Scotland; purchased by the US Navy 10 June 1917; and commissioned 14 July 1917.

World War I service

Assigned to the North Atlantic Ocean

Emeline arrived at Brest, France, 30 August 1917, for patrol off Ushant and to escort convoys between English and French ports. She gave invaluable aid to ships in distress, rescuing survivors of:

• SS Spero, sunk on 2 November 1916 by U-69;
• SS Saracen, wrecked on the rocks off Les Platresses on 26 December;
• and survivors of the torpedoed SS John G. McCullough on 17 May 1918.

Post-war decommissioning and sale

She returned to New London, Connecticut, after the war, was decommissioned at New York City 19 May 1919, and sold 9 October 1920 to her new owner, R.J. Robinson of San Diego, California.

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• Emeline (American Steam Yacht, 1898). Previously named Katoomba and Rivera. Later named Katharine R. Served as USS Emeline (SP-175) in 1917-1920