USS Ellen (SP-284)

The second USS Ellen (SP-284) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 until 1918 or 1919. Sources differ on most aspects of her history and even on her physical characteristics.[5]

For other ships with the same name, see USS Ellen.
USS Ellen, probably in the New York City area.
History
United States
Name: USS Ellen
Namesake: Previous name retained
Completed: 1911[1] or 1915[2]
Acquired: Either on or before 10 May 1917[3] or on 14 May 1917[1]
Commissioned: Either placed in non-commissioned service 10 May 1917 or commissioned on 10 August 1917[4]
Fate: Either returned to owner sometime after 31 May 1918[2] or sold on 30 April 1919 [1]
Notes: Operated as civilian yacht Ellen from 1911[1] or 1915[2] until 1917
General characteristics
Type: Patrol vessel
Length: Either 42 ft (13 m)[2] or 67 ft 10 in (20.68 m)[1]

Ellen was built as a civilian motorboat of the same name either in 1911 at Staten Island, New York,[1] or in 1915 at Greenport, New York on Long Island.[2] The U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner either on or before 10 May 1917[3] or on 14 May 1917[1] for World War I service as a patrol vessel. She served in the Navy as USS Ellen (SP-284), but sources differ as to whether she served in a non-commissioned status throughout her Navy career[6] and was placed in service on 10 May 1917[7] or was commissioned on 10 August 1917.[8]

Assigned to the 3rd Naval District, Ellen operated on section patrol duties in the New York City area for the rest of her naval career.

Sources differ on the timing and nature of the end of Ellen's naval service. She either was placed out of service on 31 May 1918 and returned to her owner[2] or remained in service through the end of World War I and was sold postwar on 30 April 1919.[1]

Ellen should not be confused with USS Ellen (SP-1209), later USS SP-1209, another patrol vessel in commission at the same time.

Ellen in 1917.

Notes
  1. Per the Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images (at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/sp284.htm).
  2. Per NavSource Online (at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170284.htm).
  3. Per NavSource Online (at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170284.htm), which states that she was "placed in service" on 10 May 1917.
  4. It is not clear as to whether Ellen was commissioned or served in a non-commissioned status; the date she began service also is unclear. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (at http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e3/ellen-ii.htm) states that she served in a non-commissioned status but provides no date for the beginning of her service, while NavSource Online (at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170284.htm) says that she was "placed in service" (implying non-commissioned service) on 10 May 1917. According to the Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images (at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/sp284.htm), Ellen was commissioned on 10 August 1917. It is possible that she entered service on 10 May 1917 in a non-commissioned status and then was commissioned on 10 August 1917.
  5. Although another patrol vessel of the same name, USS Ellen (SP-1209), was in commission at the same time, the differing information available at NavSource Online (at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170284.htm) and the Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images (at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/sp284.htm) does not suggest that confusion between SP-284 and SP-1209 explains the confusion over SP-284's history and characteristics. It may be that a third, unreported USS Ellen existed at the time and has been confused with SP-284.
  6. Per the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (at http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e3/ellen-ii.htm).
  7. NavSource Online (at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170284.htm).
  8. Per the Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images (at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/sp284.htm)

References
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