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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 102574:  USS Xarifa in harbor, circa 1918-1919

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Xarifa (SP-581), 1918-1919.
Previously the civilian steam yacht Xarifa (1896)

USS Xarifa, a 378 gross ton patrol vessel, was built in 1896 at Cowes, England, as a civilian yacht. Powered by sails and an auxiliary steam engine, she was named Ophelie and Xarifa during the next two decades. The U.S. Navy acquired the yacht in August 1917 for World War I service, but did not place her in commission until February 1918. She spent the rest of the war on patrol duty in the New York Harbor area, remaining in that vicinity during the months following the November 1918 armistice. USS Xarifa was decommissioned at the end of March 1919 and returned to her owner in early May of that year.

This page features the only views we have concerning USS Xarifa (SP-581) and the civilian steam yacht Xarifa.


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 99661

Xarifa
(American Yacht, 1896)

Under sail prior to World War I. Photographed by Greene, Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York.
This sailing yacht with auxiliary steam power was taken over by the Navy for First World War service and commissioned on 23 February 1918 as USS Xarifa (SP-581). She was returned to her owner on 4 May 1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 490 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102574

USS Xarifa
(SP-581)

In harbor, circa 1918-1919.
Built in 1896 and successively named Xarifa, Ophelie and Xarifa, this composite sailing yacht with auxiliary steam power was acquired by the Navy on 9 August 1917 and placed in commission on 23 February 1918. She was returned to her owner on 4 May 1919.

The original photograph is in Record Group 19-LCM in the National Archives.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 32KB; 740 x 450 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 30 October 2004