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Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

Remlik (SP 157)



Call sign:
George - Sail - Love - King
Patrol Yacht:

  • Built in 1903 as Candace by Cook, Walton, and Gimmell, Hull, England
  • Renamed Remlik
  • Acquired by the Navy 10 June 1917
  • Commissioned USS Remlik (SP 157), 11 July 1917
  • Decommissioned 7 November 1919 at Norfolk, VA
  • Sold 7 June 1920
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 600 t.
  • Length 200'
  • Beam 23'
  • Draft 11' 96"
  • Speed 14 kts.
  • Complement 62
  • Armament: Two 3"/50 mounts and two machine guns
  • Propulsion: One single-ended boiler, one 750hp vertical triple-expansion steam engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Yacht Remlik
    Remlik 102k Photographed in February 1907
    U.S. Navy photo NH 89410    		 Naval Historical Center
    USS Remlik (SP 157)
    Remlik 114k In port during World War I. Note the kite balloon in the distance, just beyond the ship's bow.
    Collection of Chief Boatswain's Mate John MacKenzie, USNRF.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 98030    		 Naval Historical Center
    Remlik 98k Wearing the Medal of Honor he received in recognition of his heroism in securing a depth charge that had come adrift on board Remlik during a heavy gale on 17 December 1917
    Collection of Chief Boatswain's Mate John MacKenzie, USNRF
    U.S. Navy photo NH 98032    		 Naval History and Heritage Command
    Remlik 112k View on board, looking aft from the superstructure, showing a three-inch gun and the steering wheel. Photographed at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, circa 1919. Harbor tug at left is USS Massasoit (later YT-15)
    U.S. Navy photo NH 550    		 Naval Historical Center
    Remlik 88k View on board, looking aft on the main deck, showing a three-inch gun and the steering wheel. Photographed at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, circa 1919. Harbor tug partially visible beyond the gun is USS Massasoit (later YT-15)
    U.S. Navy photo NH 551
    Remlik 98k View on board, looking forward from the stern, showing a three-inch gun, steering wheel, and mooring lines. Photographed at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, circa 1919. Battleship in the left center background is either USS Michigan (Battleship No. 27) or USS South Carolina (Battleship No. 26). The ship alongside Remlik's starboard side appears to be a "Bird" class minesweeper
    U.S. Navy photo NH 42429
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR Isaac Cureton Johnson, Jr., USN - USNA Class of 1904
    Awarded the Navy Cross (1918) - Retired as Rear Admiral    		11 July 1917
    02LT Ralph Martin, USN - Awarded the Navy Cross (1918)1918
    03LT R. M. Dole, Jr., USN1918
    04LT Raymond M. Wilcox, USN1919
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler, Ron Reeves and Joe Radigan
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Remlik (SP-157), ex-Candace, was built by Cook, Walton, and Gimmell, Hull, England in 1903: purchased by the Navy from her owner, Willis S. Kilmer, Binghalllton, N.Y., 1 June 1917, delivered 10 June 1917, converted for use as a patrol boat and commissioned 11 July 1917, Lt. Comdr. I. C. Johnson in command.

    Following commissioning, the converted steam yacht got underway for France, where, in late summer, she assumed antisubmarine patrol and coastal escort duties in the Bay of Biscay. Originally with the 2d Patrol Division, and later with the 8th, Remlik was on patrol duty on the morning of 17 December when she found herself fighting a storm, stalking a submarine, and endangered by one of her own
    depth charges.

    The submarine, sighted off the starboard beam, submerged before the guncrews could fire. The U-boat's periscope reappeared three times, but the extremely rough weather precluded the use of her torpedoes and she finally disappeared. Remlik, although prohibited from using her depth charges by her speed—only 2 knots against the gale—remained in the area in hopes her quarry would reappear.

    Shortly thereafter, the depth charge box on Remlik's taffrail aft was washed overboard. Its depth charge, however, fell inboard, lost its safety pin, and began rolling around on deck.

    In the ensuing minutes, John Mackenzie, BMC, ran down the deck and, despite the rolling and pitching of the vessel, got a firm grip on the cylinder; put it on end; then, sat on it to hold it in place until others could lash it down. Mackenzie was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

    Remlik continued her patrols and escorted ships along the French coast through the remainder of World War I. After the end of hostilities, she returned to the United States for inactivation. She was decommissioned at Norfolk 7 November 1919 and was sold to J. S. Webster, Baltimore, Md., 7 June 1920.

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