E. Benson Dennis (S.P. 791)
1917-1919
The Navy retained the name carried by this vessel at the time of her acquisition.
(S.P. 791: register tonnage 100 (gross); length 110'0" (overall); beam 19'0"; draft 7'6" (mean); speed 6.9 knots (maximum/cruising); complement 23; armament 1 6-pounder)
E. Benson Dennis, a wooden-hulled, single-screw fishing trawler built in 1901 at Pocomoke City, Maryland, by C.W. Crockett, was chartered by the Navy from her owner, E. Benson Dennis. Delivered on 14 May 1917, E. Benson Dennis was assigned the identification number S.P. 791, and was commissioned the following day, 15 May 1917.
Fitted out at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, she was assigned to the Fifth Naval District, where she performed net patrol and guard duty for the duration of the Great War [World War I]. She was returned to her owner, E. Benson Dennis, of Cape Charles, Virginia, on 12 March 1919.
Robert J. Cressman
23 February 2022
