From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

Named for the builder.

(SP - 1841: dp. 60; l. 112'5"; b. 15'2"; dr. 4'; s. 24 k.; a. 1 6-pdr.)

Herreshoff #306 (SP-194 [Vol. V, errata: SP-1841]), a steel-hulled patrol boat was built by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. in 1917 at Bristol, R.I. She was contracted for originally by Alfred I. DuPont of Wilmington, Del. at the urging of Assistant Secretary of the Navy F. D. Roosevelt, with the intention of later allowing her to be bought by the Navy. Herreshoff #306 was purchased by the Navy, taken over 14 February 1918 and commissioned 27 February 1918 at Newport, R.I.

The ship was first taken to New London, Conn., in company with two other Herreshoff-built vessels, to be fitted with listening gear. She subsequently sailed 5 May for the Canal Zone in company with SP-2232 and SP-2235, stopping at Charleston, Key West, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, en route. Herreshoff #306 arrived Cristobal 1 June 1918 and assumed duty as harbor patrol vessel. She continued to perform this duty until the end of World War I, after which she served the 15th Naval District as a patrol craft. The boat was then loaned to the War Department 2 October 1920 for use by the Army Air Service in the Canal Zone. Returned to the Navy in March 1921, she was taken to Philadelphia and placed on sale, finally being sold to W. A. D. Smith, of New York City, 1 December 1922.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.com)