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-1965
ex-Virginia (SP 1965)

Auxiliary Schooner:

  • Built in 1902 F. W. McCullough, Norfolk, VA
  • Acquired by the Navy 24 December 1917
  • Commissioned USS Virginia (SP 1965) 21 January 1918
  • Renamed SP-1965 in early 1918 to avoid confusion with the battleship Virginia (BB 13)
  • Struck from the Navy list 3 January 1919 and returned to her owner
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 35 t.
  • Length 61'
  • Beam 15' 8"
  • Draft 4' 6"
  • Speed 8 kts.
  • Complement: Nine
  • Armament unknown
  • Propulsion: One 4-cylinder 45hp Buffalo gasoline engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    SP-1965 135k Photographed during World War I.
    U.S. Navy photo NH 102358    		 Naval Historical Center
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships History: Virginia—a two-masted, auxiliary schooner built in 1902 by F. W. McCullough at Norfolk, Va.—was acquired by the Navy on Christmas Eve of 1917 under free lease from W. M. Holland of Norfolk. In Navy records, she does not appear as an active unit until July 1918—when she was listed in the Navy Directory as a unit of the 5th Naval District section patrol force —probably operating in and around Norfolk. Initially, she retained the name Virginia semi-officially and was so listed in several editions of the 1918 Navy Directory. However, after December 1918, she was carried on all Navy records as SP-1965, but frequently with a parenthetical Virginia added after the official designation. The schooner served the Navy until 3 January 1919 when her name was struck from the Navy list, and she was returned to her owner.
    Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Patrol Craft/Gunboat/Submarine Chaser Ship Type 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