

805 KIDDER BREESE SE — WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
— U.S. NAVY SHIPS —
USS Wakiva (SP-160), 1917-1918.
Originally the civilian yacht Wakiva (II) (1907)
Wakiva (II), an 853 gross ton steam yacht, was built at Leith, Scotland, in 1907. She was active in American yachting circles until July 1917, when the U.S. Navy acquired her from Harry S. Harkness of New York City. Converted to a patrol vessel, she was placed in commission in August as USS Wakiva (SP-160). Also called Wakiva II while in Navy service, she steamed across the Atlantic to France during late August and September. Operating out of the port of Brest, she was employed on anti-submarine patrol and convoy excort duty. On 28 October 1917 Wakiva assisted in rescuing survivors from the damaged transport Finland. She attacked an enemy U-boat in late November 1917, apparently badly damaging or sinking the submarine, and fired on another on 12 February 1918, forcing it to submerge. On the night of 22 May 1918, while steaming with a convoy during a fog, Wakiva was rammed by the Navy cargo ship Wabash (ID # 1824). Flooding beyond the capacity of her pumps, she soon sank. Two of Wakiva‘s crew lost their lives in this accident.
This page features all the views we have concerning USS Wakiva (SP-160) and the civilian yacht Wakiva (II) of 1907.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: “How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.” |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 103478
Wakiva (II) (American Steam Yacht, 1907)Photographed prior to World War I. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 34KB; 740 x 285 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 549
USS Wakiva (SP-160)At the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, on 22 August 1917, showing searchlight platform fitted to her foremast. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 93KB; 580 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105580
USS Wakiva (SP-160)In dry dock at Brest, France, circa 1918. Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in USS Wakiva (SP-160) during World War I. U .S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 57KB; 530 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 85730
USS Wakiva (SP-160) — Also called Wakiva II.Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken in 1917-1918, while Wakiva was escorting a convoy. Courtesy of Alfred Cellier, 1977. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 495 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 41745
USS Alcedo (SP-166), left center, andUSS Wakiva II (SP-160), at right Picking up survivors in 1917. Courtesy of Mr. W.D. Porter, November 1937. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 43KB; 740 x 460 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105581
USS Wakiva (SP-160)View on board, looking forward from the mainmast, circa 1918. Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in USS Wakiva (SP-160) during World War I. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 450 pixels Note: Though the original print was labeled USSCarola IV (SP-812), this ship is actually the much larger Wakiva. |
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Photo #: NH 105582
USS Wakiva (SP-160)Gun crew on watch, circa 1918. Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in USS Wakiva (SP-160) during World War I. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 535 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105583
USS Wakiva (SP-160)One of the ship’s guns, presumably a 3″/50 type, circa 1918. Courtesy of James A. Turner, Jr., from the collection of Samuel A. Turner, Jr., who served in USS Wakiva (SP-160) during World War I. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 540 pixels |
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Related image: Photo # NH 105585 was presumably taken from USS Wakiva circa May 1918.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: “How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.” |