USS Chingachgook

USS Chingachgook (SP-35) was a motorboat acquired by the United States Navy during World War I. She was outfitted as an armed patrol craft for the 3d Naval District and assigned to patrol New York City waterways. After several months of operation by the Navy, an on-board gasoline explosion destroyed the craft.

Chingachgook (American Motor Boat, 1916) underway at high speed, October 1916.
History
United States
NameUSS Chingachgook
OwnerT.W. Brigham of Greenport, Long Island, New York
BuilderGreenport Basin and Construction Company of Greenport
Laid downdate unknown
Completed1916
Acquiredby the Navy, 25 May 1917
Commissionedas USS Chingachgook (SP-35), 6 June 1917
Decommissioned10 January 1918
Strickencirca 1918
HomeportNew York City
FateDamaged beyond repair, 31 July 1917; disposed of by burning, 19 February 1918
General characteristics
TypeMotorboat
DisplacementUnknown
Length60 ft (18 m)
BeamUnknown
DraftUnknown
PropulsionInternal combustion engine
Speed22 mph (35 km/h)
ComplementUnknown
Armament1 × 1-pounder gun, 1 × machine gun

A fast motorboat for the era

Chingachgook – a 60 ft (18 m) fast (22 mph (35 km/h)) motorboat – was built in 1916 by the Greenport Basin and Construction Company of Greenport, Long Island, New York.

World War I service

Her owner – T. W. Brigham of Greenport – had her armed as a patrol craft as part of the preparedness movement then active in the United States.

She was acquired by the Navy for World War I service in May 1917, and on 6 June 1917 she was placed in commission as USS Chingachgook (SP-35), named after James Fenimore Cooper's Last of the Mohicans character, and assigned to the 3d Naval District for patrol duty.

The boat briefly performed patrol service in the New York City area, but on 31 July 1917 her gasoline tank exploded, injuring members of the crew and igniting the ship. A survey of 13 October found her hull worthless and beyond repair.

Decommissioning and disposal

Decommissioned at the beginning of October, her remains were disposed of by burning on 19 February 1918.

References
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