 California (American Motor Boat, 1910) in port, probably atSan Francisco, California, prior to herWorld War I era Naval service. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USSCalifornia |
| Namesake | California, which was admitted to the Union 8 September 1850 as the 31st State |
| Owner | the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association |
| Laid down | date unknown |
| Completed | in 1910 atSan Francisco, California |
| Acquired | leased by the Navy in the spring of 1917 |
| Commissioned | 28 April 1917 |
| Decommissioned | 23 November 1918 |
| Renamed | USSSP-647 |
| Stricken | 23 November 1918 (est.) |
| Homeport | San Francisco, California |
| Fate | Returned to the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association in November 1918 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Motorboat |
| Displacement | not known |
| Length | 58 ft 2 in (17.73 m) |
| Beam | not known |
| Draft | not known |
| Propulsion | not known |
| Complement | not known |
| Armament | not known |
USSCalifornia (SP-647) – later known asUSSSP-647 – was originally amotorboat used by theSan Francisco Bar Pilots Association as apilot boat. She was leased by the Navy, and outfitted as an armedsection patrol craft, assigned to patrol and protectSan Francisco harbor. At war's end, she was returned to the pilot's association.
California, a 58' 2" motorboat, was built in 1910 atSan Francisco, California, for local employment as a pilot boat. She was leased from the San Francisco Bar Pilot's Association and commissioned in the Navy as USSCalifornia (SP-647) on 28 April 1917.
The fourth ship to be so named by the U.S. Navy,California (No. 647), served Section Patrol duties during the war. Later renamed USSSP-647, the motor boat performed harbor patrol duties and acted as guard boat for Pier 29 at San Francisco until 23 November 1918
California (No. 647) was returned to the San Francisco Bar Pilot's Association on 23 November 1918.
TheSan Francisco Maritime Museum, located in theSan Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, holds additional photographs of the pilot boatCalifornia in its Livingston Collection.
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be foundhere.