Sylvia II (S. P. 471)
1917-1919
As in the instance of the first ship of that name, the Navy retained the name carried by this craft when she was acquired, but was cancelled when confusion arose with two vessels of the same name on the Navy Register at the same time..
II
(S. P. 471: tonnage 17 (gross register); length 48'6"; beam 11'6"; draft 3'1"; speed 9.0 knots; complment 8; armament 1 1-pounder, 1 machine gun)
The second Sylvia , a motor boat built by Sam Williams at Marco, Fla., was acquired by the Navy on 6 June 1917 from J. Alwood of Winter Haven, Fla., and commissioned on 4 September 1917. She was assigned the identification number S. P. 471.
Sylvia was assigned to scout patrol duty in the Seventh Naval District. On 11 April 1918, Sylvia's name was cancelled to end confusion associated with the converted steam yacht, the first Sylvia. The smaller vessel was subsequently known by her number, S. P. 471.
She lay anchored in North Beach Basin, Key West, Fla., on 9 September 1919, when a hurricane struck the area. The raging seas and winds literally beat S. P. 471 and seven other similar craft to pieces against the wall of the basin and completely wrecked them. After the storm subsided, the "wreckage which was in a tangled mass was hauled out and burned... " The machinery from the boats had been removed and surveyed for disposition. S. P. 471 was ordered stricken from the Navy Register on 4 October 1919.
Updated, Robert J. Cressman
26 March 2024
