Return to Naval Historical
Center home page.
Return to Online
Library listing
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 Venture (SP-616), 1917-1919.
Previously the Motor Boat Shadow and Venture (1907)
USS Venture, a 80-foot section patrol vessel, was built
in 1907 at South Boston, Massachusetts, as the motor pleasure
boat Shadow. Later renamed Venture, she was leased
to the Navy in April 1917 and placed in commission at that time.
For the remainder of World War I, and for a few months afterwards,
she operated on patrol and dispatch duties in the vicinity of
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. USS Venture was decommissioned
in early February 1919 and returned to her owner.
This page features all the views we have concerning USS
Venture (SP-616), and the motor boat Venture of
1907.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 102348
Venture (American Motor Boat, 1907)
Photographed prior to World War I. She was originally named Shadow.
This pleasure craft was acquired by the Navy on 28 April 1917
and placed in commission on the same day as USS Venture
(SP-616). She was returned to her owner on 6 February 1919.
The original print is in National Archives' Record Group 19-LCM.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
![](../../images/i02000/i02348t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 94468
Craft acquired by the Navy for World War I service
In port on 16 May 1917, while being prepared for duty.
Second boat from the left is Gypsy (SP-55), acquired on
11 May and burned on 20 June 1917 while still fitting out.
Next to her, to the right, is Doris B. IV (SP-625), which
was delivered to the Navy on 17 April 1917 and transferred to
the U.S. Public Health Service on 21 November 1919.
Second from the right is Venture (SP-616), acquired on
28 April and returned to her owner on 6 February 1919.
At right is the trawler Comber (SP-344), acquired on 17
April 1917 and returned to her owner on 2 April 1919.
Both Doris B. IV and Venture were already in commission
when this photograph was taken.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 485 pixels |
![](../../images/h94000/h94468t.jpg) |
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
Page made 16 December 2003