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Patrol Yacht Photo Archive

Isabel (PY 10)



Navy call sign (1924):
Nan - Have - Fox

Call sign (World War II):
Nan - Able - Sugar - George

ex-Isabel (SP 521)



Call sign (1919):
George - Sail - Watch - Cast
Patrol Yacht:

  • Laid down in 1917 as the steam yacht Isabel by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine for John Willys North
  • Launched 7 June 1917
  • Purchased by the Navy 3 July 1917
  • Delivered 11 August 1917
  • Commissioned USS Isabel (SP 521), 28 December 1917
  • Decommissioned 30 April 1920 at Philadelphia, PA
  • Reclassified as a Patrol Yacht, PY-10, 17 July 1920
  • Recommissioned 18 July 1921 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard
  • Decommissioned 11 February 1946
  • Struck from the Navy Register 26 February 1946
  • Sold for scrap 25 March 1946.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 710 t.
    1921 - 797 t.
    World War II - 930 t.
  • Length 245' 3"
    World War II - 245' 6"
  • Beam 27' 9"
    1921 - 26' 2½"
    World War II - 27' 8½"
  • Draft 8' 6"
    1921 - 9' 2"
  • Speed 26 kts.
    1921 - 28.8 kts.
  • Complement 99
    1921 - 112
    World War II - 103
  • Armament: Four 3"/50 mounts, four 21" torpedo tubes and eight smaller weapons
    1921 - Four 3"/50 mounts and two 3"/23 anti-aircraft mounts
    World War II - Two 3"/50 dual purpose mounts, two 3"/23 mounts, one depth charge projector and two .30 cal. Lewis machine guns
  • Propulsion: Two Normand express boilers, two 4,200shp geared Parsons steam turbines, two shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    USS Isabel (SP 521)
    Isabel 87k USS Yacona (SP-617) at the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts, circa December 1917, painted in pattern camouflage. Yacht Isabel, then being prepared for service as USS Isabel (SP-521), is on the other side of the pier from Yacona. Steamers in the background are Aroostook (ID 1256), formerly S.S. Bunker Hill and Massachusetts, which became USS Shawmut (ID 1255)
    U.S. Navy photo NH 102576    		 Naval Historical Center
    Isabel 148k A view on the forecastle, showing the ship's starboard forward 3"/50 gun. Photographed at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, on 27 December 1917
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 545    		 Robert Hurst
    Isabel 108k Left side of the ship's starboard forward 3"/50 gun. Photographed at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, on 27 December 1917
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 41985
    Isabel 155k Ship's starboard forward 3"/50 gun, showing the gun's breech and the interior of its shield. Photographed at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, on 27 December 1917
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 41984
    Isabel 79k Off the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, on 31 December 1917, following conversion to a warship, shown wearing a Mackay type camouflage scheme, and torpedo tubes installed amidships
    U.S. Navy photo NH 544    		 Naval Historical Center
    Isabel 82k At sea on 29 June 1918, photographed from USS Fairmont (ID 2429) by crewmember Grant S. Ray
    Collection of Grant S. Ray
    U.S. Navy photo NH 99739
    Isabel 90k Making smoke while underway, circa 1919 showing the torpedo tubes installed amidships on this "destroyer" converted from a fast yacht
    U.S. Navy photo NH 53275
    Isabel 143k Key West Naval Station, Florida. Photographed in 1919, with camouflage patterns on some buildings. Ships at piers are USS Castine (Gunboat No. 6), at left, and USS Isabel (SP-521)
    at right
    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, 1969
    U.S. Navy photo NH 68764
    Isabel 154k Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania. Destroyers and other ships at the Yard in March 1919, awaiting decommissioning. Identifiable ships include: USS Iowa (Battleship No. 4), at far left; USS Isabel (later PY-10), left center; USS Lawrence (Destroyer No. 8), foreground; and USS Perry (Destroyer No. 11), inboard of Lawrence
    U.S. Navy photo NH 52104
    Isabel 98k Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania. Destroyers awaiting decommissioning in the Navy Yard's Reserve Basin, during the Spring of 1919. Ships present are (from left to right): USS Isabel; four unidentified "750-ton" type destroyers; USS Preble (Destroyer No. 12); USS Decatur (Destroyer No. 5); USS Paul Jones (Destroyer No. 10); USS Stewart (Destroyer No. 13); USS Bainbridge (Destroyer No. 1); USS Hopkins (Destroyer No. 6); USS Hull (Destroyer No. 7); USS Barry (Destroyer No. 2); USS Worden (Destroyer No. 16); USS Truxtun (Destroyer No. 14); USS Whipple (Destroyer No. 15); USS Perry (Destroyer No. 11); USS Lawrence (Destroyer No. 8); and USS Dale (Destroyer No. 4)
    Photographed by La Tour
    U.S. Navy photo NH 43036
    Isabel 113k At Key West, Florida, 17 May 1919, prior to her Mississippi River recruiting trip.
    National Archives photo 80-G-1017190 from the Naval History and Heritage Command    		 Mike Green
    USS Isabel (PY 10)
    Isabel 54k - -
    Isabel 63k Robert Hurst
    Isabel 203k Off Chefoo, China David Wright
    Isabel 195k Newspaper photo and article from the 6 August 1921 edition of the Evening Public Ledger, Philadelphia, PA
    Library of Congress Archives    		 Michael Mohl
    Isabel 256k
    Isabel 94k Hankow, China. Some of the ships of the U.S. Navy's Yangtze River Patrol at Hangchow during the 1920s, with several local junks and sanpans also present. U.S. Navy ships are (from left to right): USS Isabel (PY-10); USS Villalobos (PG-42); and USS Elcano (PG-38).
    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 67127    		 Naval Historical Center
    Isabel 73k Dressed with flags in Chinese waters, circa the 1920s, while serving as flagship of the Yangtze River Patrol.
    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 67128
    Isabel 50k At anchor, circa the 1920s. She is flying the four-star flag of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet.
    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 67580
    Isabel 84k Isabel, at left, and USS Preble (DD-345), at right. At Hankow, China, circa the early 1920s. Destroyers beyond Preble are USS Pruitt (DD-347) and USS Sicard (DD-346).
    Received from the U.S. Naval Library, Treasure Island Naval Station, California, 1969.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 67756
    Isabel 73k Anchored in Chinese waters, probably at Hankow, during the early 1920s
    Courtesy of Frederick Cornman, 1971
    U.S. Navy photo NH 77125
    Isabel 81k Photographed in Chinese waters, during the early 1920s
    Courtesy of Frederick Cornman, 1971
    U.S. Navy photo NH 77138
    Isabel 80k Delicately water color tinted photograph of the ship in Chinese waters, circa the 1920s.
    Collection of Captain Glenn Howell, USN.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 83192-KN
    Isabel 54k At Hankow, China, 1923. The original print was marked by the donor to note the location of the ship's radio room and her radio call letters.
    Collection of Henry J. Poy, who served in Isabel as a Radioman First Class in 1923.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 91410
    Isabel 101k U.S. Warships at Hankow, China, at low river level, 1925. Ships are USS Truxtun (DD-229) at left; USS Isabel (PY-10) in center, and USS Palos (PG-16) in the right foreground. Also present are several junks, and a British Cornflower class sloop (partially visible at far right)
    Collection of Captain Glenn Howell, USN.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 80990
    Isabel 203k c. 1926
    Yangtze Patrol Chinese Pirate Chaser Christmas Card    		 Tommy Trampp
    Isabel 110k
    Isabel 70k At Hankow, China, in 1927. She is flying the two-star flag of Commander, Yangtze Patrol and has sandbags placed around her gun mounts
    Collection of Captain Glenn Howell, USN
    U.S. Navy photo NH 81171    		 Naval Historical Center
    Isabel 86k In Asiatic waters, about 1928.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 73279
    Isabel 83k In Asiatic waters on 29 July 1928, while serving as flagship of the Yangtze River Patrol.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 73280
    Isabel 127k Off Tsingtao, China, circa the mid-1930s. This photograph was received by the Navy Recruiting Bureau, New York, in May 1935.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 99739
    Isabel 95k Off Tsingtao, China, circa the mid-1930s. This photograph was received by the Navy Recruiting Bureau, New York, in May 1935.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 101688
    Isabel 78k Underway on the Yangtze River, China, circa 1932.
    Courtesy of Mr. W.G. Kelly, 1970.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 81248
    Isabel 111k USS Houston (CA-30) with USS Isabel (PY-10) alongside, at Tsingtao, China, 1932
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 80114
    Isabel 92k At Ichang, China, 1932.
    Courtesy of Captain G.K. Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1973.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 80118
    Isabel 93k In the Dewey Dry Dock, at Olongapo Naval Station, Philippines, 1933
    Courtesy of Captain G.K. Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1973.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 80116
    Isabel 77k Dressed with flags at Swatow, China, in 1934
    Courtesy of Captain G. K. Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1973
    U.S. Navy photo NH 80115    		 Naval Historical Center
    Isabel 87k At Manila, Philippine Islands, on 15 February 1934, while she was serving as flagship of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet
    National Archives photo NH 80-G-1017189
    Isabel 78k At Hong Kong, circa 1935
    Courtesy of Chief Radioman W. R. Lucas, USN (Retired), 1973
    U.S. Navy photo NH 78366
    Isabel 103k A Pan American Airways Martin Model 130 "Clipper" Flying boat, moored to the Pan American "floating dock" in Manila Bay, circa 1936. Isabel is in the distance, with an admiral's
    barge alongside
    Courtesy of Rear Admiral J. P. Walker, USN (Retired), 1973
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 78012    		 Robert Hurst
    Isabel 91k Mrs. Riley F. McConnell, Wife of Captain Riley F. McConnell, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet hails Isabel, in the distance, from a wharf at Cebu, Philippine Islands, January 1937
    Courtesy of Vice Admiral J. Sylvester, USN (Retired), 1973
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 78395
    Isabel 111k At Hankow, China, on 14 May 1937. She is "dressed overall" in honor of the coronation of King George VI of England and flies the four-star flag of Commander in Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet
    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral Harry E. Yarnell, USN
    U.S. Navy photo NH 83530    		 Naval Historical Center
    Isabel 82k In the southwest Pacific area, circa early 1942.
    Photograph from the papers of Admiral Thomas C. Hart, USN.
    U.S. Navy photos NH 84776 and NH 84777
    Isabel 85k

    Miscellaneous photos of Isabel contributed by Robert Hurst and Bill Gonyo

    Click on thumbnail for full size photo


    1. Ship's Number One Gun (a 3"/50 type) in action during a gunnery exercise, circa 1933-1934. The gun loader, at left holding cartridge, is identified as "Andy"
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80137

    2. Ship's Number Two Gun (a 3"/50 type) in action during a gunnery exercise, circa 1933-1934. The Gun Captain is identified as Tim Shea
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80138

    3. General Iwane Matsui, Imperial Japanese Army, Commander of Japanese Expeditionary Forces in the Yangtze Valley, Salutes the Honor Guard as he comes aboard Isabel at Shanghai, China, circa January 1938. Also saluting, in center, is Admiral Harry E. Yarnell, USN, Commander in Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet
    Courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Yarnell, 1975
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 81649

    4. Seaplane NC-4. Photographed from USS Isabel (SP-521), upon its arrival at Washington, D.C., while on a recruiting tour, 17 October 1919
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 43907

    5. In Macao Harbor, China, c. 1933
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air
    Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80117

    6. View of the ship's foredeck, while she was underway and taking water over the bow, circa 1933
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80119

    7. View of the Isabel's midships area, looking forward from her mainmast circa 1933
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80120

    8. View from the mainmast, looking aft over the ship's quarterdeck circa 1933
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80124

    9. View looking forward along the ship's starboard side while she was underway, circa 1934
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80127

    10. View looking forward along the ship's starboard side while she was underway in heavy weather,
    circa 1934
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air
    Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80123

    11. "Worm's eye view" of the ship's quarterdeck, looking forward, circa 1933View of the Isabel's midships area, looking forward from her mainmast circa 1933
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80121

    12. View on the ship's quarterdeck, looking forward, while Isabel was undergoing overhaul and dry docking at Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands, circa 1934. The original print was labeled "Navy yard wreckage"
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80131

    13. Ship's after smokestack, showing the red "E" award she received for engineering excellence, circa 1934
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command
    photo NH 80122

    14. Ship's port screw, photographed while she was dry docked at Olongapo Naval Station, Philippine Islands, in 1933. The original print was labeled "One of the oars"
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80129

    15. Ship's Number One Gun (a 3"/50 type) in action during a gunnery exercise, circa 1933-1934. The gun loader, at left, is identified as "Quey"
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air
    Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80136

    16. Ship's Number Three Gun (a 3"/23 type) "standing by" during a gunnery exercise, circa 1933-1934
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80139

    17. Lieutenant Commander Homer Grosskopf, USN, Isabel's Commanding Officer, inspects her crew, circa 1932. The original print was labeled "The Skipper looks 'em over"
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80130

    18. Crewmen holystoning the decks, circa 1933. The original print was labeled holy-rocking the decks on the 'Izzy'
    Courtesy of Captain G. Knox Bishop, U.S. Air Force, 1974
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 80128

    19. Admiral Harry E. Yarnell, USN, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet. On board Isabel in Philippine waters, January 1937. Wives of three of the Fleet's officers are also present
    Courtesy of Vice Admiral John Sylvester, USN (Retired), 1973
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 78393

    20. Admiral Harry E. Yarnell, USN, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet (center) Selecting a cane from a young Chinese cane merchant, on board Isabel at Ichang, China, 18 May 1937. Mrs. Yarnell is at left. At right, holding another cane, is Lieutenant John Sylvester, USN, the Admiral's Flag Lieutenant. Behind Mrs. Yarnell, with only his shoulder board visible, is Captain Riley F. McConnell, USN, the Admiral's Chief of Staff
    Courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Yarnell, 1975
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 81679
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR Harry Earl Shoemaker, USN - USNA Class of 1905
    Awarded the Navy Cross (1918) - Retired as Rear Admiral    		28 December 1917 - 24 July 1918
    02LT Lewis Wells Comstock, USN - USNA Class of 1911
    Awarded the Navy Cross (1918) - Retired as Captain    		24 July 1918 - 1 February 1919
    03LCDR Ernest Ludolph Gunther, USN - USNA Class of 1909
    Awarded the Navy Cross (1918), the Legion of Merit (1945) and the British Insignia of Companion of the Order of the Bath (1948) - Retired as Rear Admiral    		1918
    04CDR Bert Blaine Taylor, USN - USNA Class of 19071 February 1919 - 4 January 1920
    05CDR George Christian Logan, USN - USNA Class of 1907
    Awarded the Navy Cross (1918) - Retired as Captain    		4 January 1920 - 10 March 1920
    06LCDR Ellis Hugh Geiselman, USN - USNA Class of 1918
    Awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V (1943) and the Navy Commendation Ribbon (1945) - Retired as Captain    		10 March 1920 - 30 April 1920
    07LCDR Ellis Spencer Stone, USN (Officer in Charge, Caretaker Crew) - USNA Class of 19116 July 1920 - 18 July 1921
    08LCDR Frank Loftin, USN - USNA Class of 1911
    Awarded both the Navy and Army Distinguished Service Medals (1918) - Retired as Captain    		18 July 1921 - 29 November 1921
    09LCDR Robert Paul Hinrichs, USN - USNA Class of 191129 November 1921 - 22 June 1923
    10LCDR Carroll Morgan Hall, USN - USNA Class of 191222 June 1923 - 6 February 1924
    11LCDR Julian Burton Timberlake, Jr., USN - USNA Class of 19136 February 1924 - 8 July 1926
    12CDR Ellis Spencer Stone, USN - USNA Class of 19118 July 1926 - 6 January 1928
    13LCDR Stuart Day Truesdell, USN - USNA Class of 19146 January 1928 - 29 June 1929
    14LCDR Lyman Knute Swenson, USN - USNA Class of 1916
    Awarded the Navy Cross (1942)-(Posthumously)    		29 June 1929 - 11 October 1930
    15LT Homer Louis Grosskopf, USN - USNA Class of 1916
    Retired as Rear Admiral    		11 October 1930 - 25 November 1932
    16LCDR Avery Harrison, USN25 November 1932 - 1 June 1934
    17LCDR Burton Emery Rokes, USN1 June 1934 - 31 July 1936
    18LCDR Thomas Lee McCann, USN - USNA Class of 1921-B31 July 1936 - 28 June 1938
    19LCDR Peter Michael Money, USN28 June 1938 - 14 September 1939
    20LT Edwin Warren Herron, USN - USNA Class of 1927
    Retired as Rear Admiral    		14 September 1939 - 25 October 1939
    21LCDR Henry William Goodall, USN - USNA Class of 1924
    Awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross (1942) and the Navy Cross (1942) - Retired as Rear Admiral    		25 October 1939 - 10 April 1940
    22LCDR Walter Ellsworth Linaweaver, USN - USNA Class of 1926
    Awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (1943) and the Legion of Merit with Combat V (1952) - Retired as Rear Admiral    		10 April 1940 - 1 December 1941
    23LTJG John Walker Payne, Jr., USN - USNA Class of 19351 December 1941 - 25 July 1943
    24LT Franklin Duerr Buckley, USN - USNA Class of 1937
    Awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V (1942) - Retired as Captain    		25 July 1943 - 2 November 1943
    25LTJG Kenneth Francis Landis, USNR2 November 1943 - 1 February 1944
    26LT Edwin Gerald Zacher, USNR1 February 1944 - 7 June 1945
    27LT Gerald Charles Mitchener, USNR7 June 1945 - 1 August 1945
    28LT Richard Peter True, USNR1 August 1945 - 12 October 1945
    29LT Sears Robert Jayne, USNR12 October 1945 - 11 February 1946
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler, Ron Reeves, Joe Radigan, Spencer Clark and Bill Gonyo
    View the Isabel (PY-10)
    DANFS History entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Website
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