USS Hawk (IX-14)

USS Hawk (PY-2/IX-14) was the converted British-built civilian yacht Hermione of 1891, acquired for service as a patrol yacht in the Spanish–American War. She later served in the Ohio and New York naval militias and on the Great Lakes until decommissioned in 1940.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Hawk.

History
United States
NameUSS Hawk
BuilderFleming & Ferguson, Paisley, Scotland
Launched1891
Acquired2 April 1898
Commissioned5 April 1898
Decommissioned14 September 1898
Recommissioned1900
Decommissioned21 May 1919
Reclassified
  • PY-2 (Patrol Yacht), 1920
  • IX-14 (Unclassified Miscellaneous Auxiliary), 1 July 1921
Recommissioned16 April 1922
Decommissioned14 February 1940
FateSold for scrap, 25 February 1940
General characteristics
Displacement545 long tons (554 t)
Length145 ft (44 m)
Beam22 ft (6.7 m)
Draft11 ft (3.4 m)
Speed14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Complement47 officers and enlisted
Armament

Civilian yacht

The steam yacht Hermione was designed by Glasgow naval architect George L. Watson and built by Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley, Scotland, in 1891 for James and Richard Allan of the Allen Line, Glasgow.[1] In June 1895 she was chartered to the American businessman Robert Goelet.[2][3] The yacht was later sold to the American politician and manufacturer, Henry L. Pierce.[4]

Spanish–American War

Hermione was purchased by the United States Navy on 2 April 1898, renamed Hawk, and commissioned three days later, Lt. John Hood in command. She sailed from Key West in late April 1898 to join the North Atlantic Squadron in blockading Cuba during the Spanish–American War. On 23 May she accompanied Admiral Sampson's flagship New York (ACR-2) out from Key West. Two weeks later she attacked and destroyed enemy ship Alphonso XII, which carried cargo for Cuba. In late summer she departed for Norfolk where she decommissioned on 14 September 1898.

Recommissioned in 1900, she was loaned to the Ohio Naval Militia where she served for nine years. On 3 August 1909 Hawk was transferred to the Naval Militia of New York, and served for 10 years in the Buffalo area. She decommissioned on 21 May 1919 and joined the Reserve Fleet. After World War I, she was reclassified as PY-2, and again redesignated IX-14 on 1 July 1921.

Great Lakes

Hawk once again recommissioned on 16 April 1922 and was assigned to the 9th Naval District. She operated in the Great Lakes area for the duration of her service. She decommissioned on 14 February 1940 and was sold on 25 February to the Indiana Salvage Co., Michigan City, Indiana.

The yacht Hermione, later renamed the USS Hawk, as she appeared in 1895. Photograph by John S. Johnston.

References
  1. "Launches and Trial Trips" (PDF). Engineering. London. 71: 746. 19 June 1891. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  2. "Yachting". Glasgow Herald. No. 151. 25 June 1985.
  3. "The Steam Yacht 'Hermione'". The Evening Telegram. No. Vol.17, No.154. St John's, Newfoundland. 3 July 1895. p. 4. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  4. "New Yachts". Boston Post. Boston, Mass. 23 December 1895. p. 3. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
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