Etta M. Burns (S. P. 542)
1917-1919
The Navy retained the name carried by this vessel at the time of her acquisition.
(S. P. 542: displacement 40 (gross); length 60'; beam 18'4"; draft 8'0" (aft); speed 6.8 knots; complement 13; armament 2 1-pounders, 1 machine gun)
Etta M. Burns -- a single screw, wooden-hulled auxiliary schooner built in East Boothbay, Maine, in 1902 -- was acquired by the Navy from Edward Morrell and delivered to the service on 30 April 1917, a little over three weeks after the U.S. entered the Great War.
Given the designation of S.P. 542, Etta M. Burns was commissioned on 2 June 1917, Boatswain W. W. Lunt, USNRF, in command, and assigned to the First Naval District where she engaged in section patrol duty.
Stricken from the Navy List on 3 February 1919, Etta M. Burns was returned to her owner.
Robert J. Cressman
28 June 2018
