USS Elfin (SP-965)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Elfin.

Not to be confused with USS Elf (SP-81).

The second USS Elfin (SP-965) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.

USS Elfin (SP-965) operating ca. 1918.
History
United States
Name	USS Elfin
Namesake	Previous name retained
Builder	Britt Brothers, Lynn, Massachusetts
Completed	1911
Acquired	July 1917
Commissioned	26 July 1917
Fate	Returned to owner 22 November 1918
Notes	Operated as private motorboat Elfin 1911-1917 and from 1918
General characteristics
Type	Patrol vessel
Length	50 ft 8 in (15.44 m)

USS Elfin (SP-965) in port during World War I.

Background

Elfin was built in 1911 as a private motorboat of the same name by Britt Brothers [Wikidata] at Lynn, Massachusetts. In July 1917, the U.S. Navy leased her from her owner, Alfred W. Gibbs of Wayne, Pennsylvania, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I. She was commissioned^[1] as USS Elfin (SP-965) on 26 July 1917.

Assigned to the 4th Naval District, Elfin served on patrol duties through the end of World War I.

Elfin was returned to Gibbs on 22 November 1918.