Name USS Gretchen Acquired 30 July 1917 Length 26 m | Namesake Previous name retained Type Patrol vessel | |
Fate Returned to owner 1 November 1917 Notes Operated as private motorboat Gretchen before and after U.S. Navy service | ||
The first USS Gretchen (SP-423) was a patrol vessel acquired by the United States Navy in 1917.
Gretchen was built as a private motorboat. On 30 July 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, Sylvanus Stokes, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I. She was placed in service as USS Gretchen (SP-423).
Assigned to the 5th Naval District, Gretchen was found unsuited for use in patrol duties. The Navy returned her to her owner on 1 November 1917.
Gretchen should not be confused with USS Gretchen (SP-1181), another patrol vessel in U.S. Navy service at the same time.
References
USS Gretchen (SP-423) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA