- USS Christabel (SP-162)
USS "Christabel" (SP-162) was a commercial
yacht purchased by theU.S. Navy during the start ofWorld War I . She was outfitted with military equipment, including heavy 3” guns, and was then assigned to patrol duty in the North Atlantic Ocean. She served as apatrol craft with honor during the war, surviving an attack on a GermanU-Boat . Post-war she was stripped of her military hardware and sold in1919 .Built in Scotland
"Christabel" (No. 162), an iron yacht, was built in
1893 byD. and W. Henderson ,Glasgow, Scotland ; purchased by the Navy30 April 1917 from Irving T. Bush; commissioned atNew York Navy Yard 31 May 1917 , Lieutenant H. B. Riebe in command; and assigned to U.S. Patrol Squadrons Operating inEurope an Waters.World War I service
North Atlantic service
She was placed in commission a month later, following conversion to a warship, and during June and early July crossed the
Atlantic Ocean toBrest, France , after clearingNew York City 9 June 1917 .For the remainder of the conflict, "Christabel" was employed on escort and patrol work off western
France , and took part in at least two actions with German U-Boats.Service as a training ship
After returning to the United States in December
1918 , she was based atNew London, Connecticut , and served with reserveantisubmarine squadrons as an anti-submarinetraining ship .Awards and honors
As an officer on board the "Christabel", Ensign
Daniel Augustus Joseph Sullivan was awarded theMedal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" during combat action on21 May 1918 . He exhibited "extraordinary heroism" in securing livedepth charge s that had come loose during combat with a German U-Boat. For this act, he was awarded theMedal of Honor .Post-war decommissioning
Decommissioned
19 May 1919 , "Christabel" was sold at the end of June to the Savannah Bar Pilots Association, ofSavannah, Georgia on30 June 1919 .See also
*
USS Vedette (SP-163)
*U.S. Navy
*World War I Reference
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* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-c/sp162.htm USS Christabel (SP-162), 1917-1919]
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