velocipede

In background is USS Hetman (SP-1150), 1917-1921, a 20-ton motor patrol craft, built in 1917 at Greenport, Long Island, for the Russian Government. Purchased by the U.S. Navy in August 1917 and commissioned in October under the name Greenport # 277, she was renamed Hetman a month later in recognition of her Russian origins. After initial service in the New York harbor area, she was sent to Miami, Florida, where she was employed in support of aviation operations from December 1917 until the end of the First World War. Subsequently transferred to Key West, Florida, Hetman was stricken from the Navy list in June 1919 and sold in March 1921.

In background is partial view of USS Velocipede (SP-1258), 1917-1919. Originally the civilian motor boat Velocipede (1917), the USS Velocipede, was a 60-foot section patrol craft, was built in 1917 at Morris Heights, New Jersey, as the civilian pleasure craft of the same name. One of a number of privately-owned motor boats constructed at that time with possible national defense use in mind, she was leased by the Navy in late October 1917 and placed in commission in mid-November. For the rest of World War I, and a few months afterwards, Velocipede was assigned to the Naval Air Station at Miami, Florida. She was returned to her owner in February 1919.

Here's the set from which this photo came, consisting of photos of the naval air station at Dinner Key and its construction and expansion. www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/albums/72157643423192533

Any chance of getting a closer look at the steam dredge and the two small patrol craft on the left of this picture?

Old Salt Here is a higher res version of it: www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/24165865732/in/datepo...

SP 1151 RUSS is at left. Although not a commissioned vessel, she served until struck from the Navy Register in late 1919. SP 1258 was a commissioned vessel, USS VELOCIPEDE; her DANFS entry is here: www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/da...