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Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

SP-1290
ex-Anemone IV (SP 1290)

Auxiliary Schooner:

  • Built in 1899 by Camper and Nicholson, Gosport, ME
  • Acquired by the Navy 3 October 1917 and placed in service as USS Anemone IV (SP 1290)
  • Renamed SP-1290
  • Placed out of service 3 March 1919 at Puget Sound Navy Yard
  • Struck from the Navy Register 4 March 1919 and returned to her owner
  • Purchased in September 1920 by Dr. Edward A. Salisbury, renamed Wisdom II and outfitted for an around-the-world scientific exploration voyage
  • Gutted by fire in April 1923 at Savona, Italy and destroyed.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 118 t. (gross)
  • Length 127'
  • Beam 18' 10"
  • Draft 8' 2½"
  • Speed 8 kts.
  • Complement 24
  • Armament one 1-pounder
  • Propulsion: One 125hp 3-cylinder Union Marine gasoline engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Anemone IV 120k In a Pacific Northwest harbor, prior to World War I
    Naval Historical Center photo NH 99219
    At the University of Washington (Seattle) campus during WWI when the yacht was being used for navigation training. Information provided by Lee Corbin    		 Robert Hurst
    Anemone IV 76k In port prior to World War I
    U.S. Navy photo NH 100656
    At the University of Washington (Seattle) campus during WWI when the yacht was being used for navigation training    		 Naval Historical Center
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Anemone IV-a ketch-rigged auxiliary schooner built in 1899 at Gosport, Maine, by Camper & Nicholson-was acquired by the Navy on 3 October 1917 at Fort Townsend, Wash., under free lease from Mr. E. A. Sims. Although she was carried on the Navy list only by her official identification number, SP-1290, numerous government documents, lists, and registers-other than the Navy list-referred to the vessel by the name Anemone IV. Apparently, she was never placed in commission; but she saw active service in the 13th Naval District training recruits at the Naval Training Station. Seattle She was placed out of service on 3 March 1919 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard and was returned to her owner the following day. Her number was struck from the Navy list concurrently with her return to Mr. Sims.
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