USS Gypsum Queen
USS Gypsum Queen (SP-430) was a tugboat acquired by the United States Navy during World War I. She was assigned to the French coast as a minesweeper, as well as a tugboat to provide assistance to disabled Allied ships. Performing this dangerous work, Gypsum Queen struck a rock near Brest, France, and sunk, sending 15 crew members to their deaths.
| History | |
|---|---|
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| Name | USS Gypsum Queen |
| Namesake | A former name retained |
| Owner | J. B. King Transportation Co. of New York City |
| Builder | Dialogue & Company, Camden, New Jersey |
| Laid down | date unknown |
| Completed | 1890 |
| Acquired | by the Navy, September 1917 |
| Commissioned | 4 December 1917 at New York City |
| Decommissioned | sunk on 28 April 1919 |
| Stricken | 1919 (est.) |
| Fate | Sunk after striking a rock near Armen Light House off Brest, France, 28 April 1919 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Tugboat |
| Displacement | 361 long tons (367 t) |
| Length | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Beam | 27 ft (8.2 m) |
| Draft | 14 ft 5 in (4.39 m) |
| Speed | 14 kn (16 mph; 26 km/h) |
| Armament | 1 × 3 in (76 mm) gun, 2 × .30 in (7.6 mm) machine guns |
Constructed in Camden, New Jersey
Gypsum Queen — a sea-going tug — was built by Dialogue & Company, Camden, New Jersey in 1890, acquired from her owners, J. B. King Transportation Co. of New York City in September 1917; and commissioned on 4 December 1917 at New York City.
World War I service
Turned over to the 3d Naval District, Gypsum Queen was fitted out for overseas service at New York Navy Yard and subsequently served in French ports as a towing vessel and a minesweeper.
Sinking
While returning from rendering assistance to minesweepers foundering off the coast of France, Gypsum Queen struck a rock near Armen Light House off Brest on 28 April 1919 and sank with a loss of two officers and 13 men.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- John H. Dialogue - Dialogue Shipyard
