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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 99321:  Motor boat Edithia dressed with flags, prior to World War I

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Edithia (SP-214, later YP-214), 1917-1933.
Originally the civilian motor boat Alfredine IV and Edithia (1909)

USS Edithia, a 98'8" section patrol craft, was built in 1909 at Morris Heights, New York, as a civilian pleasure craft. Named Alfredine IV and Edithia during the years prior to the U.S. entry into World War I, she was purchased by the Navy in May 1917 and placed in commission in August of that year. For the rest of the conflict Edithia was employed in the New York Harbor area on patrol and anti-submarine net guard duties. She remained active with the Third Naval District for three years after the fighting ended and received the designation YP-214 in July 1920, when the Navy formally implemented its hull number system. USS Edithia was decommissioned in mid-December 1921 and loaned to the State of New Jersey in July 1922. She was returned to the Navy in 1932 and sold in October 1933.

This page features the only views we have concerning USS Edithia (SP-214, later YP-214) and the civilian motor boat Edithia.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 99321

Edithia
(American Motor Boat, 1909)

In port and dressed with flags, prior to World War I.
Photographed by Lowe & Cooper, Yacht Brokers.
This craft was commissioned as USS Edithia (SP-214) on 23 August 1917. Redesignated YP-214 on 17 July 1920, she was decommissioned on 13 December 1921 and loaned to the State of New Jersey in July 1922 for the use of the State Board of Commerce and Navigation. She was returned to the Navy in 1932, stricken from the Navy list on 19 July 1933 and sold on 3 October 1933.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 430 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103215

USS Edithia
(SP-214)

In port, circa 1917-1918, probably in the vicinity of New York City.

Donation of Mrs. Juel M. Walker, 1980.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 520 pixels

 


In addition to the images presented above, the National Archives appears to hold at least one other view of USS Edithia (SP-214). The following list features this image:

The image listed below is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".



  • Photo #: 80-G-1025051
    Edithia (SP-214) in harbor, during or shortly after World War I.
    Port bow surface view, showing the craft apparently getting underway after leaving a pier. Several Sailors are on deck, dressed in "Whites" (some wearing jumpers, others with just "T" shirts).
    Edithia is painted grey, with "S.P.214" in white on her bow. Though her hull and superstructure is identical to that seen in the pre-World War I photo presented above, her appearance has been somewhat altered, with relatively large masts erected at the ends of her superstructure and an enclosed pilothouse added amidships. Her stack has been removed.

    Reproductions of this image should be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system for pictures not held by the Naval Historical Center.

    The image listed in this box is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


  • If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 14 May 2004
    Minor text correction 13 September 2006