USS E. Benson Dennis (SP-791)

USS E. Benson Dennis (SP-791) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1919.

USS E. Benson Dennis (SP-791) in port sometime between 1917 and 1919.
History
United States
Name:	USS E. Benson Dennis
Namesake:	Previous name retained
Builder:	C. W. Crockett, Pocomoke City, Maryland
Completed:	1901
Acquired:	14 May 1917
Commissioned:	15 May 1917
Decommissioned:	12 March 1919
Fate:	Returned to owner 12 March 1919
Notes:	Operated as commercial fishing trawler E. Benson Dennis 1901-1917 and from 1919
General characteristics
Type:	Patrol vessel
Tonnage:	100 Gross register tons

E. Benson Dennis was built as a commercial "Menhaden Fisherman"-type fishing trawler of the same name in 1901 by C. W. Crockett at Pocomoke City, Maryland. On 14 May 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, E. Benson Dennis of Cape Charles, Virginia, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I. She was commissioned on 15 May 1917 as USS E. Benson Dennis (SP-791).

Assigned to the 5th Naval District, E. Benson Dennis performed submarine net patrols and guard ship duties for the rest of World War I.

E. Benson Dennis was decommissioned on 12 March 1919 and returned to Dennis the same day.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: U.S. Navy Ships: USS E. Benson Dennis (SP-791), 1917-1919
• NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive E. Benson Dennis (SP 791)

USS E. Benson Dennis (SP-791) hauled out of the water at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, in August 1917. Her bow bears traces of a different section patrol number (possibly "347") from the one she actually was assigned (791).