USS Talofa

USS Talofa (SP-1016) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1919.

Talofa as a private yacht sometime between 1910 and 1917.
History
United States
NameUSS Talofa
NamesakePrevious name retained
BuilderGeorge Lawley & Son, Neponset, Massachusetts
Completed1910
Acquired16[1] or 28[2] April[3] 1917
Commissioned16 April[4] or 8 May [5] 1917
FateReturned to owner 24 April 1919[6]
NotesOperated as private yacht Talofa 1910-1917 and from 1919
General characteristics
TypePatrol vessel
Tonnage82 Gross register tons
Length101 ft 0 in (30.78 m)
Beam15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
Draft5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) mean
PropulsionSteam engine
Speed12 knots
Complement19
Armament2 × 3-pounder guns

Talofa was built in 1910 as a private steam yacht of the same name by George Lawley & Son at Neponset, Massachusetts. In April 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her under a free lease from her owner, Eben H. Ellison, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I; sources disagree on the date of acquisition, claiming both 16[7] and 28[8] April[9] 1917. She was commissioned as USS Talofa (SP-1016); sources also disagree on her commissioning date, claiming both 16 April[10] and 8 May [11] 1917.

Assigned to the 1st Naval District in northern New England, Talofa carried out patrol duties through the end of World War I and into 1919.

The Navy returned Talofa to Ellison by no later than 24 April 1919,[12] and her name subsequently was stricken from the Navy List.

Notes
  1. NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Talofa (SP 1016).
  2. Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: Civilian Ships: Talofa (American Steam Yacht, 1910). Served as USS Talofa (SP-1016) in 1917-1919.
  3. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships states only that the U.S. Navy acquired Talofa sometime in April 1917.
  4. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships and NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Talofa (SP 1016).
  5. Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: Civilian Ships: Talofa (American Steam Yacht, 1910). Served as USS Talofa (SP-1016) in 1917-1919
  6. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships and NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Talofa (SP 1016) claim that this was Talofa's return date, while Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: Civilian Ships: Talofa (American Steam Yacht, 1910). Served as USS Talofa (SP-1016) in 1917-1919 states that the return was "on or before" this date and "in or about April 1919."
  7. NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Talofa (SP 1016).
  8. Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: Civilian Ships: Talofa (American Steam Yacht, 1910). Served as USS Talofa (SP-1016) in 1917-1919.
  9. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships states only that the U.S. Navy acquired Talofa sometime in April 1917.
  10. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships and NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Talofa (SP 1016).
  11. Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: Civilian Ships: Talofa (American Steam Yacht, 1910). Served as USS Talofa (SP-1016) in 1917-1919
  12. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships at and NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive Talofa (SP 1016) claim that Talofa was returned on 24 April 1919, while Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: Civilian Ships: Talofa (American Steam Yacht, 1910). Served as USS Talofa (SP-1016) in 1917-1919 states that the return was "on or before" this date and "in or about April 1919."

References
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