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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 42430:  USS Vedette in dry dock at L'Orient, France, circa 1917-1918

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

USS Vedette (SP-163), 1917-1919.
Originally the civilian yacht Virginia (later renamed Vedette) of 1899

Virginia, a 441 gross ton steam yacht, was built in Bath Maine. Completed in late 1899, she was renamed Vedette in 1916. The Navy leased her from her owner, Frederick W. Vanderbilt of New York City, in May 1917, converted her for patrol service and, later in that month, placed her in commission as USS Vedette (SP-163). During June and early July she steamed across the Atlantic to France, calling on Bermuda and the Azores en route. During the rest of 1917 and most of 1918, Vedette was employed on anti-submarine patrol and convoy escort duty off western France. While so engaged, she rescued the crew of a torpedoed freighter in August 1917 and, a year later, searched for an enemy U-Boat that had attacked her convoy. In December 1918, following the First World War's conclusion, Vedette returned to the U.S. She was subsequently decommissioned and, in early February 1919, given back to her owner.

This page features the only views we have concerning USS Vedette (SP-163) and the civilian yacht Vedette of 1899.


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 89771

Vedette
(American Steam Yacht, 1900)

Photographed prior to World War I. This yacht, owned by F.W. Vanderbilt of New York City, served as USS Vedette (SP-163) in 1917-1919.

Copied from Vedette's official data card.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 510 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42430

USS Vedette
(SP-163)

In dry dock at L'Orient, France, circa 1917-1918.
Built in 1899 under the name Virginia, the steam yacht Vedette was leased by the Navy on 4 May 1917 and placed in commission on the 28th of that month. On 4 February 1919, following World War I service in the eastern Atlantic, she was returned to her owner, Frederick W. Vanderbilt of New York City.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 465 pixels

 


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


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Page made 29 January 2006