USS Music (SP-1288) was a Maryland State Fishery Force power boat owned by the Conservation Commission of Maryland that operated as a United States Navy patrol vessel in a dual state/Navy role during 1917—1918. The boat was built as a civilian motor launch in 1914 by the Chance Marine Construction Company at Annapolis, Maryland.[1][2]

History
United States
NameMusic
OwnerConservation Commission of Maryland
OperatorMaryland State Fishery Force
BuilderChance Marine Construction Company, Annapolis, Maryland
Completed1914
Acquired17 August 1917 (for joint operation)
Commissioned17 August 1917
FateReturned to exclusive Fishery Force operation 24 September 1918. Sold 1920.
NotesMaryland State Fishery Force vessels and crews operated in dual state/Navy role during war.
General characteristics
TypePatrol vessel
Displacement18 tons
Length41 ft (12 m)
Beam9 ft (2.7 m)
Draft2 ft 6 in (0.76 m)
Speed8 knots
Armament1 × 1-pounder gun

The Navy approached the Conservation Commission shortly after the nation's entry into World War I proposing the Commission's boats be used to maintain constant local patrols. The state legislature agreed that the boats and men of the state force would become part of the U.S. Naval Reserve providing they patrol the same districts for fisheries enforcement as well as federal interests with the benefit that patrol time would be increased and the expense for all be paid by the federal government.[3] The Maryland State Fishery Force boats began operating under a contract in which they were under a free lease to the United States Navy in August 1917, serving as Squadron Number 8 of the 5th Naval District, patrolling their regular areas enforcing state conservation law and federal laws. They were under the command of a Conservation Commission member who was also a Lieutenant in the Navy with all expenses, wages, supplies and repairs paid by the federal government.[4]

On 17 August 1917 Music became a section patrol boat under the agreement and was commissioned as USS Music (SP-1288) assigned to the 5th Naval District. Music served on patrol and inspection duties in Hampton Roads and on the Elizabeth River in Virginia during World War I. Music returned to exclusive use by the Conservation Commission on 24 September 1918.[1]

On return to the state force the boat was assigned to patrol out of Port Republic, Maryland along with the power boat Dorothy.[5] In 1920 older boats were sold with Music being sold for $625.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Naval History And Heritage Command (February 10, 2016). "Music (S. P. 1288)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History And Heritage Command. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  2. ^ Radigan, Joseph M. "Music (SP 1288)". NavSource Online — Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  3. ^ Conservation Commission of Maryland (1918). "Second Annual report of the Conservation Commission of Maryland — 1917": 9–10, 20. Retrieved 17 May 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Conservation Commission of Maryland (1919). "Third Annual report of the Conservation Commission of Maryland — 1918": 11. Retrieved 17 May 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ Conservation Commission of Maryland (1920). "Fourth Annual report of the Conservation Commission of Maryland — 1919": List of Officials. Retrieved 17 May 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ Conservation Commission of Maryland (1921). "Fifth Annual report of the Conservation Commission of Maryland — 1920": 27–28. Retrieved 17 May 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

(  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

Other Maryland Fishery Force vessels

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Bessie Jones, Buck, Daisy Archer, Dorothy, Frolic, Governor R. M. McLane, Julia Hamilton, Helen Baughman, Murray, Music, Nellie Jackson, Nettie, Severn, St. Mary's, and Swan