Name USS Otis W. Douglas Completed 1912 Commissioned 10 August 1917 Builder Jackson and Sharpe | Namesake Previous name retained Acquired 7 April 1917 Length 48 m | |
Fate Foundered, 27 April 1919 | ||
USS Otis W. Douglas (SP-313) was a United States Navy minesweeper in commission from 1917-1919.
Otis W. Douglas was built as a commercial motor freight boat in 1912 by Jackson and Sharpe at Wilmington, Delaware. The U.S. Navy purchased her from the Douglas Company of Reedville, Virginia on 7 April 1917 for World War I use. After conversion into a minesweeper, she was commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia on 10 August 1917 as USS Otis W. Douglas (SP-313), with Lieutenant Grant T. Stephansen in command.
Immediately after commissioning, Otis W. Douglas departed Norfolk for Brest, France, where she assumed minesweeping duties around Belle Île and the entrance to Loire River. Her efforts aided in keeping convoy routes clear for the safe passage of troop ships and supply vessels. Continuing these efforts until the spring of 1919, Otis W. Douglas worked until the last mines were destroyed.
Otis W. Douglas departed Brest for the United States with minesweeper Courtney and other vessels on 27 April 1919. Although weather conditions appeared favorable, a storm developed shortly after their departure. The ships headed back toward Brest, but in the heavy seas, Otis W. Douglas began leaking badly and sank — as did Courtney — on 27 April.