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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 57630:  USS Aramis off the New York Navy Yard

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

USS Aramis (SP-418, later PY-7), 1917-1933.
Originally the Civilian Motor Yacht Aramis (1916)

USS Aramis, a 375-ton patrol vessel, was built in 1916 at City Island, New York, as the diesel-powered yacht of the same name. She was acquired by the Navy in July 1917 and placed in commission in November 1917. After a month of patrol duty in the New York Harbor area, she was fitted with an early antisubmarine listening device and conducted tests at New London, Connecticut. She then returned to New York for more patrol, convoy and training service. On 12 August 1918 Aramis rescued survivors of the torpedoed Norwegian steamship Sommerstad and, on the following day, took part in an attack on a suspected German submarine.

In November 1918, soon after the Armistice brought an end to the World War I fighting, Aramis was assigned as flagship of Battleship Division THREE. However, this mission was short-lived, as continuing problems with her diesel engines rendered her unsuitable for the job. She next was based at New London, but went back to New York in early April 1919 and, on the 7th of that month, carried dignitaries as they welcomed Admiral William S. Sims upon his return to the United States from Europe. In September-November 1919 Aramis was stationed at Washington, D.C.

Given the hull number PY-7 in July 1920, while at New York, in September-November 1919 was considered for conversion to the Navy Department's yacht, but was instead laid up at the New York and Philadelphia Navy Yards between October 1921 and late 1924. Thereafter she was used as a tender and houseboat for USS Nokomis (PY-6) during survey work along the Cuban coast. Aramis was stricken from the Navy list in July 1933 and sold, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in November 1933.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning USS Aramis (SP-418, later PY-7) and the civilian motor yacht Aramis.

For other images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Aramis (SP-418, later PY-7) -- On Board and Crew Views.


    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 100666

    Aramis
    (American Motor Yacht, 1916)

    Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken soon after completion.
    Built by Robert Jacobs of City Island, New York, this yacht was acquired by the Navy on 3 July 1917, commissioned on 2 November 1917 and served during the World War I era as USS Aramis (SP-418). She was redesignated PY-7 in 1920 and remained under Navy ownership until sold on 13 November 1933.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 395 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 57630

    USS Aramis (SP-418)


    Off the New York Navy Yard, 23 November 1918

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 100660

    USS Aramis (SP-418)


    In a harbor, circa 1917-1919.
    The motor yacht Aramis, built in 1916, was acquired by the Navy on 3 July 1917 and commissioned on 2 November 1917. Redesignated PY-7 in 1920, she was retained as Navy property until sold on 13 November 1933.

    The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105704

    USS Aramis
    (SP-418, later PY-7)

    Dressed with flags while at anchor, circa 1919.

    Note the three men with signal flags beside, atop and in front of the pilot house, spelling out (respectively) "R"; "K" and "Y".

    Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 88KB; 900 x 545 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104992

    USS Aramis
    (SP-418, later PY-7)

    Underway, possibly near the New London Submarine Base, Groton, Connecticut, circa late 1918 or early 1919.

    Photograph from the album of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Edward D. Porges. Donated by his daughter, Gail Porges Guggenheim, 2007.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101411

    USS Aramis (PY-7)


    In Cuban waters on surveying duty, circa 1925-1926, while serving as tender to USS Nokomis (PY-6).

    Copied from the USS Nokomis Cuban Survey album # 2. Donation of Carter Rila, 1986.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 500 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101032

    USS Aramis (PY-7)


    Photographed circa 1925-1926, while serving as tender to USS Nokomis (PY-6) during surveying duty in Cuban waters.

    Copied from the USS Nokomis Cuban Survey album. Donation of Carter Rila, 1986.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 455 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 57229

    USS Aramis (SP-418)


    Underway off Race Rock Light, circa 1918. Photographed from USS Thetis (SP-391), which was lying at anchor.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 420 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 57230

    USS Aramis (SP-418)


    Underway off Race Rock Light, circa 1918. Photographed from USS Thetis (SP-391), which was lying at anchor.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 415 pixels

     

    For other images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Aramis (SP-418, later PY-7) -- On Board and Crew Views.


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


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 10 July 2003
    New image added 8 May 2008