From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol.I, Part A - p 430

Aspen

A poplar tree found in North America and Europe.

(Lht.: dp. 415; 1. 126'; b. 25'; dr. 8'3" (mean); cpl. 25)

The lighthouse tender Aspen--built at Toledo, Ohio, and launched in November 19O~--was transferred from the Lighthouse Service to the United States Navy on 16 April 1917, by executive order, soon after the United States entered World War I. Assigned to the 9th Naval District, headquartered at Great Lakes, Ill., Aspen operated out of that port under the auspices of the commandant of that district until her return to the Lighthouse Service on 1 July 1919.