Florence, a 104 gross ton steam yacht, was built in 1903 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol, Rhode Island. During her pre-World War I career as a pleasure craft, she was also named Quickstep. She was leased by the Navy for wartime service in late April 1917 and placed in commission in August of that year as USS Florence (SP-173), commanded by her owner, Ensign James W. Aker, USNRF, of New York City. Assigned to the Third Naval District, she was employed in Long Island Sound for patrol service, guard duties and target range support, and as an escort for U.S. submarines. Florence was decommissioned in February 1919 and returned to her owner.
This page features the only view we have concerning the steam yacht Florence, which was USS Florence (SP-173) in 1917-1919.
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 19 March 2005