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NavSource Online:
Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

USCGC AB-9



Call sign:
Negative - Roger - King - Dog

ex-USCGC Pioneer
ex-USCGC Gurkha
ex-USS Gurkha (SP 600)


Gurkha served both the U. S. Navy and Coast Guard
Patrol Boat:

  • Built in 1915 by Britt Brothers, West Lynn, MA
  • Acquired by the Navy 21 April 1917
  • Commissioned USS Gurkha (SP 600), 22 May 1917
  • Transferred to the Coast Guard 25 June 1919
    Coast Guard records indicate that she was transferred to the Coast Guard 15 September 1919 at Boston, MA and commissioned USCGC Gurkha
  • Renamed Pioneer 16 December 1919
  • Renamed AB-9, 6 November 1923
  • Disposed of in 1934
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 30 t.
  • Length 58' 11"
  • Beam 13' 10"
  • Draft 5' 6"
  • Speed 12 kts.
  • Complement: Nine
    1920 - Three
  • Armament: One 3-pounder and one 1-pounder
  • Propulsion: One 70hp 6-cylinder Sterling gasoline engine (replaced by one diesel engine), one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Gurkha 113k In port, circa 1917-1918. A small boat from USS Bonita (SP-540) is resting on her after deck. Battleship in the background is probably USS Virginia (Battleship No. 13)
    U.S. Navy photo NH 96135    		 Naval Historical Center
    Commanding Officers
    01Boatswain William F. Jordan, USNRF1918
    Courtesy Joe Radigan and Wolfgang Hechler
    View the Gurkha (SP 600)
    DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website
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    This page created by Joseph M. Radigan and maintained by David Wright
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