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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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  • Ship History
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  • World War I 1917-1918
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Taniwha (S.P. 129)

1917-1919

The Navy retained the name carried by this vessel at the time of her acquisition.

(S.P. 129: tonnage 85 (gross register); length 112'0" (overall); beam 15'6"; draft 4'3" (mean); speed 14.0 knots (maximum), 9.5 knots (cruising); complement 24; armament 1 6-pounder, 2 machine guns)

Taniwha, a wooden-hulled, twin-screw motor yacht constructed in 1909 at Neponset, Mass., by George Lawley & Sons, was acquired by the United States Navy in 1917 on free lease from Mr. Henry B. Anderson of New York City, a prominent attorney (Anderson & Anderson) and an avid yachtsman. Though commissioned on 18 May 1917, Taniwha was not formally acquired by the Navy until 29 September 1917. She was given the identification number S.P. 129.

Assigned to the Third Naval District, Taniwha operated on section patrol protecting waters near New York City against incursions by enemy forces, particularly submarines. Her service to the Navy continued through the end of hostilities which came on 11 November 1918 with the signing of the Armistice. She was decommissioned on 4 April 1919, and her name was stricken from the Navy Register on the same day. She was returned to her owner subsequently.

Updated, Robert J. Cressman

21 July 2022

Published: Thu Jul 21 13:30:17 EDT 2022