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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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Verdi (S.P. 979)

1917-1918

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

(S.P. 979: tonnage 28 (gross register); length 75'0" (overall); beam 11'5"; draft 4'4' (mean); speed 13.0 knots (cruising); complement 10; armament 1 1-pounder, 1 machine gun)

Verdi, a twin-screw, wooden-hulled motor boat built in 1909 at Morris Heights, N.Y., by the Charles L. Seabury Co. and the Gas Engine & Power Co., was acquired by the Navy from Walter J. Green, of Utica, N.Y.  Delivered on 30 June 1917, Verdi, given the identification number S.P. 979, was commissioned on 10 August 1917.

Homeported during her civilian service at Clayton, N.Y., on the St. Lawrence River, Verdi was assigned section patrol duties with the Ninth Naval District. She served in the Great Lakes through the Armistice of 11 November 1918, which ended the Great War [World War I], and was returned to her owner on 7 January 1919.

Verdi ultimately became stranded in the St. Lawrence, some 500 feet off Watch Island, New York, a total loss, on 31 July 1935.

Updated, Robert J. Cressman

7 April 2022

Published: Thu Apr 07 09:06:46 EDT 2022