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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
USS Niagara (SP-263), 1917-1919.
Previously civilian motor boat Niagara (1915)
Niagara, a 50-foot motor pleasure craft, was built in
1915 by E.A. Fonda of Miami, Florida. She was purchased by the
Navy in early July 1917, some two months after she was commissioned
as USS Niagara (SP-263). Renamed SP-263 in April
1918, she spent her entire Navy career in Florida waters on patrol
duties. Her Navy service ended in late May 1919 when she was transferred
to the U.S. Lighthouse Service.
This page features all the views we have concerning the
motor boat Niagara, both before and during her World War
I Navy service.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 103546
Niagara (American Motor Boat, 1915)
Hauled out of the water, circa 1915-1917.
Built in 1915 by E.A. Fonda of Miami, Florida, and owned by General
H.M. Creel of Miami, this pleasure craft was placed in commission
on 1 May 1917 as USS Niagara (SP-263). Her name was changed
to SP-263 in 1918, and she was transferred to the U.S.
Lighthouse Service in May 1919.
Note her shallow draft, recorded as 2 feet forward and 3 1/2
feet aft.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 580 pixels |
![](../../images/i03000/i03546t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 103547
Niagara (American Motor Boat, 1915)
Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1915-1917.
This pleasure craft, owned by General H.M. Creel of Miami, Florida,
was taken over by the Navy during World War I, serving as USS
Niagara (SP-263) and USS SP-263 in 1917-1919.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 164KB; 740 x 520 pixels |
![](../../images/i03000/i03547t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 102065
USS Niagara (SP-263))
Photographed circa 1917-1918.
Built in 1915, the motor boat Niagara was commissioned
as USS Niagara (SP-263) on 1 May 1917. She was renamed
SP-263 on 11 April 1918 and was transferred to the U.S.
Lighthouse Service on 29 May 1919.
The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 47KB; 740 x 420 pixels |
![](../../images/i02000/i02065t.jpg) |
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Page made 29 June 2002
New images added 23 February 2006