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Patrol Yacht Photo Archive

Coral (PY-15)
ex-Sialia (SP 543)


Patrol Yacht: Built in 1914 as the steam yacht Sialia for John K. Stewart by the Pusey and Jones Co., Wilmington, DE; Acquired by the Navy, 10 June 1917; Commissioned USS Sialia (SP 543), 30 June 1917. For her first nine months of naval service, she was assigned to the section patrol force in the 4th Naval District but spent most of her time pierside at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. From 15 April 1918 to 5 May 1919, she served as flagship in Hampton Roads for Commander Division Four, Cruiser Force, and Newport News Division, Transport Force. Transferred to the Coast & Geodetic Survey, 6 October 1919; Returned to the Navy, 6 February 1920; Sold 13 April 1920 to her previous owner, Henry Ford and renamed Yankee Clipper; Acquired by the Navy for a second time 25 November 1940; Commissioned USS Coral (PY-15), 27 February 1941; Decommissioned, 12 August 1943; Recommissioned, 27 August 1943; Decommissioned, 10 September 1943; Sold, 15 July 1947. Fate unknown.

Specifications as Sailia (SP 543): Displacement 558 t.; Length 207'; Beam 27'; Draft 11' 3"; Speed 14.5 kts.; Complement 61; Armament two 3"/50s and two machine guns; Propulsion diesel, one shaft.

Specifications as Coral (PY 15): Displacement 790 t.; Length 214' 6"; Beam 26' 7"; Draft 13'; Speed 14kts; Complement unknown; Armament two 3"/50 gun mounts; Propulsion 1,500bhp diesel engines, one shaft.
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Size Image Description Source
Sialia 36k Sialia prior to World War I service. Susan Crawford
Sialia 89k Sialia prior to World War I service. Susan Crawford
Sialia 120k Sialia prior to World War I service. Susan Crawford
Coral 75k . Historical Collections of the Great Lakes

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships History:

Sialia

Sialia (SP-543), a steam yacht built in 1914 by Pusey and Jones, Wilmington, Del., was acquired by the Navy on 10 June 1917 from her owner, Henry Ford, and commissioned on 30 June 1917. For her first nine months of naval service, she was assigned to the section patrol force in the 4th Naval District but spent most of her time pier side at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. From 15 April 1918 to 5 May 1919, she served as flagship in Hampton Roads for Commander Division Four, Cruiser Force, and Newport News Division, Transport Force. Sialia was transferred to the Coast and Geodetic Survey on 6 October 1919, returned to the Navy on 6 February1920, and sold on 13 April to her former owner, Henry Ford.

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Coral

A stony mass formed from the skeletons of various sea animals, the basic formation of many tropical islands, reefs, and atolls.

Coral (PY--15) was built in 1914 by Pusey and Jones Co., Wilmington, Del.; acquired by the Navy 25 November 1940; and commissioned 27 February 1941, Lieutenant Commander W. H. Meyer in command.

Coral made two Naval Reserve cruises from Philadelphia during June 1941, then sailed 30 August for Newport and inshore patrol duty until 8 October. After training at Guantanamo Bay, she served at Key West with Service Squadron 9 until decommissioned 12 August 1943. Recommissioned 27 August to escort a convoy to Norfolk, she arrived 6 September, and was again decommissioned 10 September 1943. Coral was sold 15 July 1947.


Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
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