USS Zoraya (SP-235)

USS Zoraya (SP-235) was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy from 1917 to 1919.

Steam yacht Zoraya sometime between 1901 and 1917, prior to her U.S. Navy service as USS Zoraya (SP-235)
History
United States
Name:	USS Zoraya
Namesake:	Previous owner's name retained
Owner:	Atala W. Thayer
Builder:	J. M. Bayles and Sons, Port Jefferson, New York
Completed:	1901
Acquired:	16 August 1917
Commissioned:	17 December 1917
Fate:	Returned to owner 8 February 1919
General characteristics
Type:	Armed yacht
Tonnage:	129 tons gross
Length:	135 ft 0 in (41.15 m)
Beam:	18 ft 0 in (5.49 m)
Draft:	7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) mean
Propulsion:	Steam engine
Speed:	12 knots
Complement:	33
Armament:	2 × 3-pounder guns

Zoraya was a wooden-hulled steam yacht constructed in 1901 by J. M. Bayles and Sons at Port Jefferson, New York, for Ms. Atala W. Thayer. The U.S. Navy acquired her from a later owner, Mr. William Biel, for World War I service with the section patrol on 16 August 1917. She was armed, designated SP-235, and commissioned at New York City on 17 December 1917.

For the duration of the war, USS Zoraya served under the command of the Commandant, 3rd Naval District, and patrolled the coasts of New York and New Jersey.

The Navy returned Zoraya to her owners on 8 February 1919, some three months after the end of hostilities.