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NavSource Online:
Patrol Yacht Photo Archive

Patrol Yacht
Aileen


Built in 1896 by John Roach and Son, Chester, PA; Acquired by the Navy, 28 April 1898; Commissioned, 14 May 1898; Transferred to the New York Naomi Milita, 18 May 1899; Returned to Navy custody, 18 November 1909; Placed in service, 30 April 1910; Transferred to the Naval Milita, late 1910; Returned to Navy custody, 7 April 1917; Decommissioned, 5 July 1919; Struck from the Naval Register, 12 August 1919; Sold 20 November 1920. Fate unknown.

Specifications: Displacement 192 t.; Length 120'; Beam 20' ; Draft 8'; Speed 14 kts.; Complement 33; Armament one 3-pounder and two 1-pounders.
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Aileen 126k In dry dock, fitting out for service, at the New York Navy Yard, 17 May 1898. The cruiser Topeka is in the background.
USN Photo 19-N-17-5-2
Naval Historical Center
Aileen 134k In dry dock at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, while being converted for naval service, 17 May 1898. Note light armor plate being installed on her hull amidships to protect her boilers.
USN Photo NH 57751
Naval Historical Center
Aileen/Viking 91k Moored at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, after being fitted for naval service, 21 May 1898. Ship getting underway is Viking another yacht converted for use in the Spanish-American War.
USN Photo 19-N-19-16-10
Naval Historical Center

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Aileen--a yacht built in 1896 at Chester, Pa., by John Roach & Sons--was purchased by the Navy on 28 April 1898; converted for naval service by the New York Navy Yard; and commissioned there on 14 May 1898 Lt. William Kilburn in command.

Found unfit for cruising the open seas, Aileen served on coastal defense through the Spanish-American War. On 18 May 1899 the converted yacht was transferred to the New York Naomi Militia on loan for use as a training ship. On 18 November 1909, the New York Naval Militia returned Aileen to the Navy. She was placed in service at the Portsmouth (N. H.) Navy Yard on 30 April 1910- but, sometime later that year, the yacht was transferred to the Rhode Island Naval Militia and served the state of Rhode Island training naval militiamen until the United States entered World War I on 6 April 1917. The following day, Aileen was reacquired by the Navy and placed in commission once again. For the duration of the war, she served in the 2d Naval District, patrolling the New England coastline between New London and Block Island Sound. After February 1919, she operated from New London with the Reserve Squadron, Antisubmarine Squadrons, engaged in training missions. She was decommissioned on 5 July 1919 and 18 days later, was ordered sold. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 12 August 1919. On 20 November 1920, she was sold to Tams, Lemoin & Crane, of New York City.


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