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Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

Wasaka III (SP 342)


Motor Yacht: Laid down in 1912 as the yacht Octalee VI by the Britt Brothers, Boat Builders, Lynn, MA; Launched in 1912; Sold in late 1912 to Ingersell Amory, Boston, MA and renamed Cheechako; Sold in 1917 to John J. Martin, Boston and renamed Wasaka III; Acquired by the Navy in 1917; Commissioned Wasaka III (SP 342), (date unknown); Decommissioned, (date unknown); Struck from the Navy list, (date unknown); Returned to her owner 18 April 1919; Sold in 1930 to Augusts M. Summers, Weymouth, MA; Sold in 1935 to Elmer R. Blenis, Weymouth; Sold in 1939 to Warren B. Nott, Braintree, MA; Sold in 1974 to her current owner, David L. Higgs, Weymouth; Wasaka III is currently in storage just south of Boston.

Specifications: Displacement unknown; Length 53'; Beam 10'; Draft 5'; Speed 9 kts.; Complement six; Armament one 1-pounder and one Colt machine gun; Propulsion one Muray and Tregurtha gasoline engine (replaced engine in 1935 with a 110hp 8-cylinder Lycoming gasoline engine), one shaft.


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Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships History: Wasaka III--a wooden-hulled motorboat--was built at Lynn, Mass., by Britt Brothers, boat builders. Acquired by the Navy in the spring of 1917 from Mr. John J. Martin of Boston under a free-lease agreement, Wasaka III was apparently manned on 22 April 1917 as her deck log indicates that the first men--the most senior rating being a Machinist's Mate 2d Class A. Rowbottom, USNRF--reported on board on that day. There is no record of a commissioning, and the deck log does not start until 1 June 1917.

Initially, Wasaka III--classified SP-342--operated from the Commonwealth Pier, Boston, Mass. On 26 September 1917, she shifted to the Bumkin Island section base, whence she operated for the duration of the war and into 1919. Her log ends on 31 March 1919, and she was returned to her owner on 18 April of the
same year.


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
The Classic Antique Power Yacht - Wasaka III
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