Naval History and Heritage Command

Zahma - a wooden-hulled ketch with an auxiliary engine - was designed by B.B. Crowninshield and completed in 1915 at Neponset, Mass., by George Lawley and Son, Corp., for John H. Cromwell of Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, N.Y. Inspected by the Navy at the entry of the United States into World War I for possible service as a patrol craft, the vessel was rejected as "unsuitable for naval use."

A quarter of a century later, the exigencies of war changed the Navy's evaluation of the graceful craft, as she was again inspected - this time at the 11th Naval District - in early 1942. Acquired by the Port Director of San Diego from R. J. Rheem on 13 February, Zahma was placed in service on 26 February 1942. Classified as a miscellaneous auxiliary and designated IX-63, Zahma was based at San Diego and operated as a local patrol craft into the spring of 1943. Placed out of service on 13 April 1943, Zahma's name was struck from the Navy list on 18 July 1944.