USS Pocomoke (SP-571)

The first USS Pocomoke (SP-571), later USS SP-571, was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.

History
United States
Name:	USS Pocomoke, later USS SP-571
Namesake:	As Pocomoke, for Pocomoke City, Maryland (Previous name retained) As SP-571, for her section patrol number
Builder:	Brewster Brothers, Baltimore, Maryland
Commissioned:	24 April 1917
Fate:	Returned to owner 22 October 1918
Notes:	Operated as civilian freight boat Pocomoke until 1917 and from 1918
General characteristics
Type:	Patrol vessel
Tonnage:	23 tons
Length:	64 ft 7 in (19.69 m)
Beam:	20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)
Draft:	5 ft (1.5 m)
Armament:	1 × 1-pounder gun

Pocomoke was built as a civilian freight boat of the same name by Brewster Brothers at Baltimore, Maryland. The U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, the Fish Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in 1917 for World War I service as a patrol vessel. She was commissioned on 24 April 1917 as USS Pocomoke (SP-571).

Pocomoke operated on section patrol duty for the rest of World War I.

The Navy returned Pocomoke to the Fish Commission on 22 October 1918.

Pocomoke should not be confused with USS Pocomoke (SP-265), a minesweeper also in commission during World War I.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive: SP-571 ex-Pocomoke (SP 571)