Name USS Ionita Laid down date unknown Completed in 1914 | Namesake A former name retained Launched date unknown Builder Trenton | |
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Owner R. A. Newman of Detroit, Michigan | ||
USS Ionita (SP-388) was a yacht acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I. Ionita was outfitted by the Navy as a patrol craft and reported to the Commander, 9th Naval District, headquartered at Lake Bluff, Illinois. Ionita patrolled the Detroit River and was struck by the Navy at war’s end.
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Built in Detroit, Michigan
Ionita (SP-388), a 55-foot-long motor yacht, was built by Church Boat Works, Trenton, Michigan, in 1914 for use as a pleasure craft on the Great Lakes. She was acquired by the Navy from her owner, R. A. Newman of Detroit, Michigan, 16 August 1917; and commissioned as USS Ionita (SP-388) 23 September 1917, with William W. Ford, USNRF, in command.
World War I service
Ionita was assigned to the 9th Naval District as a section patrol craft and spent the war on patrol in the Detroit River.
Post-war service
After the [Armistice of 11 November 1918|[World War I Armistice]], she was transferred to the Naval Training Camp, Detroit, Michigan.
Decommissioning
Ionita was later decommissioned by the Navy and was sold to William Thewes, Cleveland, Ohio, on 20 November 1919.