Dawn, a 51-foot pleasure boat, was built in 1914 by Hehre & Aker of The Bronx, New York. Her electric-drive machinery, with a 60 horsepower gasoline engine turning a generator to provide electric power to a 20 horsepower motor, propelled her at a maximum of nine knots speed and also made her suitable for supplying power for use ashore. The craft was taken over by the Navy in June 1917 and placed in commission as USS Dawn (SP-26). Apparently she did not prove satisfactory in service. A January 1918 note commented that she was to be returned to her owner, which was done early in the following April.
Note: Dawn's official data card provides the
following remarks concerning her power plant:
"Available for repair boat, can furnish electric power for
lighting, shop, or for repairs"
"Main propelling plant consists of 60 HP gas engine driving
direct a 40 KW.DC. compound, interpole generator. A 4 KW.DC. generator
driven thro gearing 1-1/2 times main generator speed acts as exciter
and also to charge 16 Iron Clad (cell) storage battery. Battery
and main generator used as a self-starter for engine. Maine generator
supplies current up to 220 volts to 20 H.P.D.C. motor directly
connected to propeller shaft. The propeller shaft carries an iron
friction gear for direct drive from main engine thro 2 idler friction
gears (paper)."
This page features the only view we have concerning the motor boat Dawn, which was USS Dawn (SP-26) in 1917-1918.
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.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 20 April 2005