USS Tern (SP-871)

The first USS Tern (SP-871) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Tern.
History
United States
Name:
  • USS Tern (1917-1918)
  • USS SP-871 (1918)
Namesake:
  • Tern was her previous name retained
  • SP-871 was her section patrol number
Builder: Murray and Tregurtha, South Boston, Massachusetts
Completed: 1907
Acquired: 28 May 1917
Commissioned: 28 May 1917
Renamed: SP-871 in 1918
Fate: Returned to owner 21 November 1918
Notes: Operated as private motorboat Tern 1907-1917 and from 1919
General characteristics
Type: Patrol vessel
Tonnage: 17[1] or 18[2] Gross register tons
Length: 53 ft (16 m)
Beam: 10 ft (3.0 m)
Draft: 2 ft 9 in (0.84 m)
Armament:

Tern was built as a private motorboat of the same name in 1907 by Murray and Tregurtha at South Boston, Massachusetts. On 28 May 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, E. F. Nail of Atlantic City, New Jersey, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I. She was commissioned the same day as USS Tern (SP-871).

Assigned to the 4th Naval District, Tern operated on patrol duty for the rest of World War I. She was renamed USS SP-871 in 1918, presumably to avoid confusion with the new minesweeper USS Tern (Minesweeper No. 31), then under construction.

SP-871 was returned to Nail on 21 November 1918.

Notes
  1. SP-871 Tern at Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: U.S. Navy Ships -- Listed by Hull Number: "SP" #s and "ID" #s -- World War I Era Patrol Vessels and other Acquired Ships and Craft numbered from SP-800 through SP-899.
  2. "Tern I". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.

References
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