- USS Blue Dolphin (IX-65)
The USS "Blue Dolphin" (IX-65) - an auxiliary
schooner built in1926 atShelburn, Nova Scotia by theShelburn Shipbuilding Company , was acquired by the Navy on17 March 1942 from Mr. Amory Coolidge ofBoston, Massachusetts , for the nominal fee of$ 1.00. She was designated a miscellaneous auxiliary, IX 65 and placed in service at theSection Base , Boston on6 April 1942."Blue Dolphin" spent the next 38 months serving as
station vessel atCasco Bay, Maine . Shortly afterGermany surrendered, she was placed out of service at Boston on28 June 1945 . Her name was struck from the Navy list on11 July 1945, and she was delivered to theMaritime Commission 'sWar Shipping Administration for disposal on14 September 1945."Blue Dolphin" was apparently sold to a Mr. David C. Nutt who was involved in oceanographic research in conjunction with various universities, civilian research organizations, and the
Office of Naval Research . Mr. Nutt was also anaval reserve commander . On3 April 1949 , she was designated as “suitable for use as a naval auxiliary in time of war” by theChief of Naval Operations . She was also authorized to fly theNaval Reserve Yacht pennant . The last information available on her indicates that she continued to conduct oceanographic andhydrobiological research out ofBoothbay Harbor, Maine , into the summer of 1954.The schooner is commemorated in the
Stan Rogers song, "Man with Blue Dolphin". The liner notes mention that Rogers wrote the song based on his contact with a photographer named Bruce Kemp who was at the time trying to restore the Blue Dolphin.ource
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b7/blue-dolphin-i.htm
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.