USS Fulton (SP-247)

The fourth USS Fulton (SP-247), later USS SP-247, was a commercial tug built in 1909.[Note 1] She was commissioned by the United States Navy and served as a minesweeper in 1917 in the Third Naval District and returned to her previous owners two years later. She remained in service, latterly as Catherine Carroll, at least into the 1960s.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Fulton.
Lackawanna Railroad tugboat Fulton
History
United States
Name: USS Fulton
Namesake: Robert Fulton
Builder: Staten Island Shipbuilding Company, Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York
Completed: 1909
Acquired: 30 April 1917
Renamed: USS SP-247 11 April 1918
Fate: Returned to owner 12 August 1919
Notes: Operated as civilian vessel Fulton 1909-1917 and from 1919
General characteristics
Type: Minesweeper/tugboat
Tonnage: 229 GRT, 156 NRT
Length: 93.5 ft (28.5 m)
Beam: 25.2 ft (7.7 m)
Draft: 11.0 ft (3.4 m)
Depth: 12.1 ft (3.7 m)
Installed power: 850 ihp (630 kW)
Propulsion: Single compound steam engine, one shaft
Complement:
  • 7
  • 18 as mine sweeper
Armament: single 1-pounder gun
Notes: steel hull

Construction and commercial service

Fulton was built as a steel-hulled tug in 1909 by the Staten Island Shipbuilding Company at Port Richmond on Staten Island, New York as Yard Number 489.[1] The tug had a length of 93.5 ft (28.5 m), a beam of 25.2 ft (7.7 m), a depth of 12.1 ft (3.7 m) and a draft of 11.0 ft (3.4 m). She measured 229 GRT and 156 NRT and was powered by a compound steam engine of 850 ihp (630 kW) driving a single propeller.[2][3]

The tug was built for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co. to tow barges carrying rail cars.[1] She was registered at New York, with US Official Number 207060 and call-sign LBHQ.[2] The vessel was named after Robert Fulton who was honored in New York City's Hudson–Fulton Celebration in 1909 on the centenary of his development of practical steamship technology.

World War I service

The U.S. Navy acquired her under charter on 30 April 1917 for service as a Section mine sweeper.[4] After arming with a single 1-pounder gun, she was commissioned as USS Fulton (SP-247) on 22 September with two officers and sixteen men assigned to the Third Naval District.[4][5] On 11 April 1918 her official name was reduced to SP-247.[6]

The Navy returned Fulton to her previous owner on 12 August 1919.[6]

Return to commercial service

In 1919 Fulton resumed service with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad.[7] By 1958 she had been sold to Tug Fulton Corp., New York and renamed Catherine Carroll.[8] The tug continued in service until at least 1964.[9]

Notes
  1. This Fulton should not be confused with the submarine tender USS Fulton (AS-1), which was in commission at the same time.

References
  1. "Bethlehem Steel Company, Staten Island NY". shipbuildinghistory.com. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  2. Merchant Vessels of the United States. Washington DC: US Bureau of Customs. 1914. p. 176. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  3. Record. American Bureau of Shipping. 1933. p. 183. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  4. Construction & Repair Bureau (Navy) (November 1, 1918). Ships' Data U.S. Naval Vessels. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 308-313.
  5. Historical Section, Navy Department (1920). German Submarine Activities on the Atlantic Coast of the United States and Canada (PDF). Washington, D.C. p. 135. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  6. "SP-247". NavSource Online. NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  7. Merchant Vessels of the United States. Washington DC: US Bureau of Customs. 1920. p. 47. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  8. Merchant Vessels of the United States. Washington DC: US Coast Guard. 1958. pp. 106, 716. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  9. Merchant Vessels of the United States. Washington DC: US Coast Guard. 1964. p. 810. Retrieved 21 August 2018.

Photo of tug Fulton with railcar barge under the Brooklyn Bridge, East River, New York Harbor - ca. 1952

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