USS Nightingale (SP-523)

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

USS Nightingale (SP-523) was a Nightingale-class patrol boat acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of patrolling coast and harbor waters of the United States.

History
United States
Laid down	date unknown
Launched	date unknown
Acquired	11 June 1917
Commissioned	29 June 1917
Out of service	8 September 1919
Stricken	c1919
Fate	Sold, 15 December 1919
General characteristics
Displacement	14 tons
Length	46 ft (14 m)
Beam	16 ft (4.9 m)
Draft	varies
Speed	13.9 knots
Complement	11
Armament	one 1–pounder., 1 machine gun

Nightingale, a motorboat built by C. W. Ferguson, Groton, Connecticut, was acquired by the Navy from J. L. Hubbard, Groton, 11 June 1917 and commissioned 29 June 1917 at Newport, Rhode Island.

World War I service

Operating in the 2nd Naval District, and based at Newport, Rhode Island, during World War I, Nightingale patrolled the experimental submarine zone off New London, Connecticut, throughout the fall, inspecting commercial vessels for district licenses and alternating duties with USS Magistrate (SP-143), patrolling the harbor entrance.

On special duty 18 September, she maneuvered with a Chilean submarine off Fishers Island. Continuing patrol duty, Nightingale directed all commercial traffic from the experimental zone 31 October, shifting station to Fishers Island Sound 11 November. Relieved by USS Daraga (SP-43) the 13th, she thereafter alternated duties with Daraga off New London, Fishers Island, and Stonington, Connecticut, and later with Magistrate and USS Kingfisher (SP-76).

Nightingale continued on patrol until 8 September 1919 when she was placed out of service. She was sold to G. A. Ford Yachts Agency, New York City 15 December 1919.

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

External links

• Photo gallery of USS Nightingale (SP-523) at NavSource Naval History
• Photo gallery at Naval Historical Center