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Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

Velocipede (SP 1258)

Motorboat:

  • Built in 1917 by the Charles L. Seabury Co., Morris Height, NY
  • Acquired by the Navy 27 October 1917
  • Commissioned USS Velocipede (SP 1258), 14 November 1917
  • Returned to her owner 6 February 1919
  • Struck from the Navy Register 20 February 1919
  • Owned in 1924 by C. M. Sorensen of Miami Beach , FL and named Pal O'Mine
  • Registered in 1927 to Max Krauss of New Orleans, LA as the yacht Nikko
  • Registered in 1933 to Cecil N. Squire of New Orleans as the yacht Nikko
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 13 t.
    1927 - 25 t.
  • Length 60'
  • Beam 11' 8"
    1927 - 11.1'
  • Draft 2' 11"
    1927 - 5.8'
  • Speed 21.7 kts.
  • Complement: Eight
    1927 - Four
  • Armament: One 1-pounder and one machine gun
  • Propulsion: Two 8-cylinder 200hp Speedway (Diesel) oil engines, two shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Velocipede
    Velocipede 148k Photographed soon after completion in 1917
    U.S. Navy photo 89775    		 Naval Historical Center
    USS Velocipede (SP 1258)
    Russ 69k USS Russ (SP-1151), at left, and USS Velocipede (SP-1258), at right, at Miami, Florida, 27 June 1918
    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives
    U.S. Navy photo 80-G-1017184    		 Naval Historical Center
    Velocipede 76k In Florida waters, near Miami, 31 July 1918
    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives
    U.S.Navy photo 80-G-1017185
    Velocipede
    Velocipede 117k Refitting at New York for the 1919 yachting season in the spring of that year. Many of these boats served as Navy section patrol ("SP") craft during World War I. Identifiable boats appear to include Velocipede (ex-Navy SP-1258), in the center, with bow toward camera, and Osprey II (ex-Navy SP-928) at far right.
    Halftone photographic reproduction published on the front cover of "The Rudder" magazine, June 1919
    Courtesy of Robert F. Sumrall, 1972
    U.S.Navy photo NH 75650    		 Naval Historical Center
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships History: Velocipede (SP-1258)-a motor boat constructed at Morris Heights, N.J., by the Charles L. Seabury Co.- was acquired by the Navy on 27 October 1917 under free lease from Mr. K. C. Atwood, Jr., of New York City, N.Y., for use as an aeronautical patrol boat; and commissioned on 14 November 1917.

    Assigned to the 7th Naval District, Velocipede served on patrol duties at the Naval Air Station, Miami, Fla., until after the armistice had ended hostilities on 11 November 1918. She remained in Navy hands until 6 February 1919 when she was returned to her owner.

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