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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
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Photo # NH 55614:  USS Sybilla III during World War I

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

USS Sybilla III (SP-104), 1917-1918.
Was USS PC-454 and USS Impetuous (PYc-46) in 1940-1944.
Previously the Motor Yacht Sybilla III (1915)

USS Sybilla III, a 103 gross ton patrol vessel, was built at City Island, New York, in 1915 as the motor yacht Paragon. Later renamed Sybilla III, she was acquired by the Navy for World War I service and placed in commission in May 1917. She served through World War I in the waters of the Seventh Naval District and was returned to her owner on Christmas Eve, 1918.

The yacht remained in civilian use through the next two decades, being renamed Arlis during this time. In August 1940, with another World War threatening to involve the United States, she was again acquired by the Navy. Commissioned as USS PC-454 in October 1940 and renamed Impetuous (PYc-46) in July 1943, she operated in the vicinity of the Panama Canal Zone until August 1944, when she was decommissioned. USS Impetuous was stricken from the Navy List in October 1944 and turned over to the War Shipping Administration, which sold her in June 1945.

This page features all the views we have related to USS Sybilla III (SP-104), which was later USS PC-454 and USS Impetuous (PYc-46), and to the civilian yacht Sybilla III.

Note: We have no photographs of this vessel during her World War II era service as USS PC-454 and USS Impetuous (PYc-46).


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 55613

Sybilla III
(American Motor Yacht, 1915)

Photographed prior to or after her World War I Navy service. The chevron on her forward stack may indicate a post-war date.
Built as Paragon in 1915, this pleasure craft was acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 15 May 1917 as USS Sybilla III (SP-104). Returned to her owner on 24 December 1918, and later renamed Arlis, she was again acquired by the Navy on 12 August 1940 and commissioned on 16 October 1940 as USS PC-454. She was renamed and reclassified Impetuous (PYc-46) on 15 July 1943.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102246

Sybilla III
(American Motor Yacht, 1915)

In harbor, dressed with flags, prior to her World War I Navy service.
Originally named Paragon, this pleasure craft was acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 15 May 1917 as USS Sybilla III (SP-104). She was returned to her owner on 24 December 1918.
Later renamed Arlis, this yacht also served during the World War II era as USS PC-454 and USS Impetuous (PYc-46).

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

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 55KB; 635 x 675 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102244

Sybilla III
(American Motor Yacht, 1915)

Photographed prior to her World War I Navy service.
Originally named Paragon, this pleasure craft was acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 15 May 1917 as USS Sybilla III (SP-104). She was returned to her owner on 24 December 1918.
Later renamed Arlis, this yacht also served during the World War II era as USS PC-454 and USS Impetuous (PYc-46).

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

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 51KB; 740 x 425 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102245

Sybilla III
(American Motor Yacht, 1915)

View of the yacht's starboard side, amidships, taken prior to her World War I Navy service.
Originally named Paragon, this pleasure craft was acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 15 May 1917 as USS Sybilla III (SP-104). She was returned to her owner on 24 December 1918.
Later renamed Arlis, this yacht also served during the World War II era as USS PC-454 and USS Impetuous (PYc-46).

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

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 425 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 55614

USS Sybilla III (SP-104)


Photographed during World War I.
This yacht also saw World War II service as USS PC-454 and USS Impetuous (PYc-46).

UU.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 580 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 107065

USS Sybilla III
(SP-104)

Hauled out for repairs, in a Delaware River area boat yard, circa 1917-1918.
Note the rowing and sailing craft in the foreground.
Copied from the Donald R. Cochran album (Lot S-591), page 3.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2010.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 183KB; 900 x 655 pixels

 


Note: The Ships' Histories Branch of the Naval Historical Center holds one other photograph of the motor yacht Sybilla III, showing her from off the port bow, underway and dressed with flags.
This print is mounted on the "SP" data card for USS Sybilla III (SP-104).


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


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


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 25 September 2003
    New image added 6 October 2010