USS Idylease (SP-119) was a motor yacht leased by the U.S. Navy during World War I. She was outfitted as a patrol craft and was assigned to the Hampton Roads and Norfolk, Virginia, waterways. Post-war, she was restored to her civilian configuration and returned to her owner.
 Idylease (American Motor Boat, 1916) probably in New York harbor, c. 1916-1917.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USS Idylease |
| Namesake | A former name retained |
| Owner | Richard Goldsmith of New York City |
| Builder | Kyle and Purdy, City Island, New York |
| Christened | as the pleasure motor boat Idylease |
| Completed | 1916 |
| Acquired | leased by the Navy, June 1917 |
| Commissioned | 9 July 1917 |
| Decommissioned | c. April 1919 |
| Stricken | c. April 1919 |
| Homeport | |
| Fate | Returned to her owner at Norfolk 30 April 1919 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Yacht |
| Tonnage | 29 tons |
| Length | 65' |
| Beam | 13' 6" |
| Draft | 2' 6" |
| Propulsion | motor |
| Speed | 10 knots |
| Complement | not known |
| Armament | One 1-pounder gun |
Constructed in New York edit
Idylease (SP-119), a 65-foot motor yacht, was built in 1916 by Kyle and Purdy, City Island, New York as the civilian pleasure motor boat of the same name; acquired by the Navy from Richard Goldsmith of New York City in June 1917, and commissioned 9 July 1917.
World War I service edit
Assigned to the 5th Naval District for the rest of World War I and during the initial post-war months, Idylease performed patrol and radio inspection duties in Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Virginia, and on the Elizabeth River during the war.
Post-war disposition edit
She was returned to her owner at Norfolk 30 April 1919.
References edit
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- USS Idylease (SP-119), 1917-1919. Previously Civilian Motor Boat Idylease (1916)