The second USS ''Tacony'' (SP-5) was an armed

yacht A yacht is a sailing or power vessel used for pleasure, cruising, or racing. There is no standard definition, though the term generally applies to vessels with a cabin intended for overnight use. To be termed a , as opposed to a , such a pleasu ...

that served in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

as a Section patrol vessel from 24 May 1917 to 29 November 1918. The yacht had been built in 1911 by the Mathis Yacht Building Company at

Camden, New Jersey Camden is a city in and the county seat of Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Camden is part of the Delaware Valley metropolitan area and is located directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the 20 ...

for John Fred Betz, III, of

Essington, Pennsylvania Tinicum Township, more popularly known as "Tinicum Island" or "The Island", is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The population was 4,091 at the 2010 census, down from 4,353 at the 2000 census. Included within the townships boundarie ...

and member of the Philadelphia Yacht Club as ''Sybilla II''.The ''Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships'' contains two errors for this entry. The owner was Betz, not Botz, and the propulsion was gasoline engines, not steam. The vessel was Mathis yard number seven with 208469 the official number issued.

''Sybilla II''

''Sybilla II'' was built with the necessary requirements for the popular power boat racing of the time but with more attention to features associated with general cruising and leisure comfort. Two staterooms were located aft with a "lobby" passageway and additional sleeping area and a fully equipped bathroom. Forward of the engine room was the galley and a saloon with buffets and seating. Forward of the saloon were quarters for up to six crew with a captain's stateroom and a toilet. The owners quarters, finished in African mahogany and trimmed with ivory, were located forward. Ten people could be accommodated in the owner's quarters. Auxiliary boats were a fifteen-foot mahogany tender carried on port side davits and a stern hung twelve foot dinghy. Propulsion was by an especially built Craig six cylinder engine of 150 horsepower with two 850 gallon gasoline tanks installed in the engine room. Two masts and two funnels were somewhat unusual features of the motorboat with the mast capable of carrying sails for emergency propulsion or sailing if desired. Electricity was provided by a separate electric plant. By late 1916 Betz had purchased the 120 foot (36.6 m) yacht ''Paragon'', later renamed ''Sybilla III'', from Charles J. Davol of Providence, Rhode Island with that vessel being prepared for a cruise to Florida with Betz and friends. ''Sybilla II'' was sold to Jacob S. Disston of the Tacony section of

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

and renamed ''Tacony''.

Navy acquisition

In 1917 the U.S. Navy acquired the motor yacht from her owner on a free lease for service in

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

and commissioned her as USS ''Tacony'' (SP-5) on 24 May 1917. ''Tacony'' was assigned patrol duty in the

4th Naval District The naval district was a U.S. Navy military and administrative command ashore. Apart from Naval District Washington, the Districts were disestablished and renamed Navy Regions about 1999, and are now under Commander, Naval Installations Comman ...

through the end of World War I. On 29 November 1918, ''Tacony'' was returned to her owner.

Footnotes

References

External links

Department of the Navy: Naval Historical Center: Online Library of Selected Images: U.S. Navy Ships: USS ''Tacony'' (SP-5), 1917-1918. Originally the Civilian Motor Boat ''Sybilla II'' (1911)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tacony (SP-5) Patrol vessels of the United States Navy World War I patrol vessels of the United States Ships built by the Mathis Yacht Building Company 1911 ships