Rickwood (S.P. 597)
1917-1919
The Navy retained the name carried by this small craft at the time of her acquisition.
(S.P. 597: tonnage 40 (gross register); length 75'0" (overall); beam 13'6"; draft 4'3" (aft); speed 9 knots; complement 10; armament 1 3-pounder)
Ethel M. Ward, a twin-screw, wooden-hulled motor boat, was built in 1910 at Port Clinton, Ohio, by the Matthews Boat Company. Subsequently renamed Rickwood, the craft was; acquired under free lease by the U.S. Navy 9 June 1917 from Allen H. Woodward of Woodward, Ala., for service as a section patrol boat. Assigned the identification number S.P. 597, she was delivered to the Navy and commissioned on 18 June 1917, Ens. George R. Bazzell, USNRF, in command.
Rickwood was assigned to patrol duty at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. She provided ferry service between the air station and the city of Pensacola, recovered downed aircrews and aircraft, performed local towing and rescue work, and patrolled the Florida coast near Pensacola. Turned over to Pensacola Naval Station on 28 January 1919, Rickwood was returned to her owner on 3 March 1919. She remained on the mercantile register until 1955.
Updated, Robert J. Cressman
30 May 2023