USS Almax II (SP-268)

USS "Almax II" (SP-268) was a motorboat acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I. She was outfitted with light guns and assigned patrol duty in the Chesapeake Bay area. Post-war she served with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey before being sold in 1920.

Constructed in Salisbury, Maryland

"Almax II" (SP-268) -- a motorboat constructed in 1912 at Salisbury, Maryland, by the Salisbury Marine Construction Co. -- was acquired by the U.S. Navy on 18 May 1917 from Mr. F. Mayer of Baltimore, Maryland, and commissioned on 18 May 1917.

World War I service

Assigned to the section patrol, "Almax II" cruised the waters of the 5th Naval District through the end of World War I. She served with Squadron 2 and operated primarily between Newport News and Norfolk, Virginia.

Post-war service

After the war, the boat continued to serve until 28 March 1919 when she was transferred to the Department of Commerce for use by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. "Almax II" was returned to Navy custody on 21 February 1920.

Final decommissioning

She was sold on 14 July 1920; and, presumably, her name was struck from the Navy list at that time.

References

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-civil/civsh-a/almax2.htm Almax II (American Motor Boat, 1912). Served as USS Almax II (SP-268) in 1917-1919]

See also

* U.S. Navy
* World War I
* Patrol boat