Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online:
Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

SP-852
ex-Wissahickon (SP 852)

Call sign (1919):
Nan - Unit - Fox - Xray

Valda call sign (1948):
King - Love - Baker - Queen
Patrol Yacht:

  • The second Wissahickon was built in 1899 as Valda by George Lawley and Sons, Neponset, MA
  • Renamed Wissahickon in 1902
  • Acquired by the Navy 13 July 1917
  • Commissioned USS Wissahickon (SP 852), 3 October 1917
  • Renamed SP-852 in 1918 to avoid confusion with the Revenue Cutter Wissahickon
  • Struck from the Navy list 10 February 1919
  • Decommissioned 12 February 1919 at Camden, ME
  • Returned to her owner 15 February 1919
  • Registered in 1948 to Frank Schwartzman, Jr. of Grantwood, NJ as the passenger vessel Valda
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 194 t.
    1948 - 79 t.
  • Length 120'
    1948 - 101.7'
  • Beam 14'
  • Draft 5' 10½"
    1948 - 7'
  • Speed 10 kts.
  • Complement 19
    1948 - Six
  • Armament: One 3-pounder and two machine guns
  • Propulsion: One Almy boiler, one 125hp vertical triple expansion steam engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    SP-852 257k c. 1900 - 1902
    Boston, MA
    Valda at anchor
    Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones collection    		 Boston Public Library
    View the Wissahickon (SP 852)
    DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website
    Back to the Main Photo Index Back to the Patrol Craft/Gunboat/Submarine Chaser Ship Index Back to the Section Patrol Craft (SP) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster
    This page created by Joseph M. Radigan and maintained by David Wright
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History