USS Audwin (SP-451): From Private Motorboat to Naval Patrol Vessel
The story of the USS Audwin (SP-451) is a classic example of the transition from private luxury to public service during the early 20th century. Originally built as a private motorboat, this vessel served two distinct government roles: first as a patrol craft for the United States Navy and later as a survey vessel for the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Early Origins and Naval Service
The Audwin was constructed in 1911 by the New York Yacht, Launch and Engine Company, located in Morris Heights, Bronx, New York. For the first several years of its existence, between 1911 and 1917, it operated as a private motorboat. However, as the United States entered the global conflicts of the era, the Navy began acquiring private craft to bolster its coastal defenses.
The U.S. Navy acquired the vessel on June 30, 1917, and officially commissioned it as the USS Audwin (SP-451) on November 5, 1917. During its tenure as a patrol vessel, the Audwin was equipped for security and defense, carrying a small crew and light armament to monitor coastal waters.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Technical Specifications
As a patrol vessel, the Audwin was designed for agility and shallow-water operations. It featured a displacement (the weight of the water displaced by the hull) of 12.5 tons and a length of 60 feet. Powered by a gasoline engine, the vessel could reach a top speed of 10 mph.
To fulfill its military role, the boat was armed with a 1-pounder gun and a machine gun, manned by a complement of nine personnel.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 60 ft (18.3 m) |
| Beam (Width) | 12 ft 6 in (3.8 m) |
| Draft (Aft) | 3 ft 6 in (1.1 m) |
| Displacement | 12.5 tons |
| Propulsion | Gasoline engine |
| Maximum Speed | 10 mph |
| Crew Complement | 9 |
| Armament | 1 × 1-pounder gun, 1 × machine gun |
Transition to the Coast and Geodetic Survey
The Audwin's naval career ended on March 27, 1919, when it was decommissioned. On that same day, the vessel was transferred to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS), an agency responsible for mapping the nation's coasts and waters. Renamed the USC&GS Audwin, it was commissioned into survey service in 1919.
The vessel continued its service as a survey boat for nearly a decade, providing essential data for maritime navigation. Its career finally came to an end in 1927, when the vessel was decommissioned and sold.
Key Facts
- Builder: New York Yacht, Launch and Engine Company (Bronx, NY).
- Naval Service: Served as USS Audwin (SP-451) from November 1917 to March 1919.
- Survey Service: Served as USC&GS Audwin from 1919 to 1927.
- Armament: Equipped with one machine gun and one 1-pounder gun during Navy service.
- Final Fate: Sold in 1927.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the USS Audwin?
The vessel was built in 1911 by the New York Yacht, Launch and Engine Company in Morris Heights, Bronx, New York.
What was the Audwin's original purpose?
Before its government service, the Audwin operated as a private motorboat from 1911 until 1917.
How fast could the USS Audwin travel?
Powered by a gasoline engine, the vessel had a maximum speed of 10 mph.
What happened to the vessel after its Navy service?
On March 27, 1919, it was transferred to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, where it served as a survey vessel until 1927.
What was the crew size of the patrol vessel?
The USS Audwin had a complement of nine personnel.