USS Cythera (PY-26)

The USS "Cythera" (SP-575/PY-26) was a US Navy patrol yacht, originally laid down as the civilian yacht "Agawa", that saw service in the Atlantic during both World War I and World War II.

History

World War I

Originally constructed in Leith, Scotland and launched as the civilian yacht "Agawa" on September 20 1906, she was subsequently leased by the US Navy in 1917 and commissioned as the USS "Cythera" (SP-575). Sailing from New York on October 27 1917, "Cythera" arrived at Newport the next day and was assigned to Patrol Force, Atlantic Fleet. She cleared Newport November 1 with her squadron, and escorted and towed submarine chasers to European waters, before arriving at Gibraltar on December 29. Based out of Gibraltar, she patrolled and escorted convoys between her base and Mediterranean ports in France, Italy, and Africa. She was decommissioned March 17 1919, and returned to her owner two days later.

World War II

After serving under civilian operation for more than two decades, "Cythera" was reacquired by the US Navy on December 31 1941 and given the designation PY-26. Her conversion into a patrol vessel was completed February 28, and she was placed in service March 3 1942. On May 2 1942, she was torpedoed and sunk by the U-boat U-402 off the coast of North Carolina. Of the 71 crew on board at the time, only two survived and were picked up by the attacking submarine as prisoners of war.

References

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170575.htm navsource.org: USS "Cythera"]
* [http://hazegray.org/danfs/patrol/cythera.htm hazegray.org: USS "Cythera"]