From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol. I p 24

Alcedo

Alcedo is a bird, commonly called the Kingfish.

(PY: T. 981 ; 1. 275' ; b. 81' ; dr. 14'2'' ; s. 12 k. ; cpl. 98; a. 4 3'')

Alcedo (SP-166), an armed yacht, was built in 1895 by D. and W. Henderson, Glasgow, Scotland ; purchased by the Navy in 1917 ; commissioned 28 July 1917, Lieutenant Commander W. T. Conn, Jr., in command ; and reported to the Atlantic Patrol Force.

Between 30 August and 5 November 1917 she patrolled and escorted convoys along the coast of France. Alcedo rescued 193 survivors from the torpedoed transports Antilles and Fin1and (17 and 29 October 1917).

In the early morning hours of 5 November 1917, while off the coast of France, Alcedo was torpedoed by the German submarine UC--71. The yacht was struck on the starboard bow and went down in eight minutes, with a loss of 22 of her crew. The survivors were rescued by French patrol and fishing vessels.