USS Calypso (SP-632)

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USS Calypso (SP-632).jpg
USS Calypso (SP-632) tied up in an icy harbor sometime between 1917 and 1919.
History
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svgUnited States
NameCalypso
Namesake Calypso, in Greek mythology, a nymph who lived on the island of Ogygia, where, according to the Odyssey , she detained Odysseus for seven years
OwnerA. L. Mason, Westfield,  New Jersey  (1917)
Builder New York Yacht, Launch & Engine Company, Morris Heights,  Bronx,  New York
Completed1909
FateSold to U.S. Navy June 1917
US flag 48 stars.svg United States Navy
NameUSS Calypso
NamesakePrevious name retained
AcquiredJune 1917
CommissionedJuly 1917
FateTransferred to U.S. Bureau of Fisheries 9 September 1919
US flag 48 stars.svg Flag of the United States Bureau of Fisheries.svg U.S. Bureau of Fisheries
NameUSFS Merganser
NamesakeMerganser, a fish-eating duck of the genus Mergus in the subfamily Anatinae
Acquired9 September 1919
Identification
FateTransferred to Fish and Wildlife Service 30 June 1940
US flag 48 stars.svg Flag of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.svg U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
NameUS FWS Merganser
NamesakePrevious name retained
Acquired30 June 1940
Decommissioned1942 or 1943
General characteristics (as private motorboat)
Type Motorboat
Length45 ft (13.7 m)
Propulsion20  hp (15  kW) Alco gasoline engine
General characteristics (as U.S. Navy patrol boat)
Type Patrol vessel
Length54 ft (16.5 m)
Propulsion20 hp (15 kW) Alco gasoline engine
General characteristics (as BOF patrol boat)
Type Fishery patrol vessel
Tonnage
Length54 ft (16.5 m)
Beam10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
Draft3 ft 8 in (1.1 m)
Propulsion
  • 1919: 20 hp (15 kW) Alco gasoline engine, 100 US gallons (380 l; 83 imp gal) fuel
  • 1922: 16 hp (12 kW) engine
Speed9  mph (14 km/h)

The second USS Calypso (SP-632) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1919. She originally operated as the private motorboat Calypso from 1909 to 1917. After the conclusion of her U.S. Navy career, she served as the fishery patrol vessel in the United States Bureau of Fisheries fleet from 1919 to 1940 as USFS Merganser and in the Fish and Wildlife Service fleet as US FWS Merganser from 1940 to 1942.

Contents

Construction

Calypso was built as a private motorboat of the same name by the New York Yacht, Launch & Engine Company at Morris Heights in the Bronx, New York, in 1909. [2] She operated as a pleasure craft. [2]

U.S. Navy service

In June 1917, the U.S. Navy purchased Calypso from her owner, A. L. Mason of Westfield, New Jersey, [2] for use as a section patrol boat during World War I. After the Navy modified her into a motor launch, [2] she was commissioned as USS Calypso (SP-632) in July 1917. She performed patrol duty along the coast of the northeastern United States for the rest of World War I.

World War I ended on 11 November 1918, and sometime thereafter the Navy decommissioned Calypso. Under an executive order dated 24 May 1919 addressing the disposition of vessels the Navy no longer required, Calypso was among several vessels designated for transfer to the United States Bureau of Fisheries (BOF). [2] The Navy duly transferred her to the BOF on 9 September 1919.

U.S. Bureau of Fisheries service

Prior to Calypso's official transfer, the Bureau of Fisheries took possession of her at Quincy, Massachusetts, in July 1919 and renamed her USFS Merganser. [2] The BOF vessel USFS Phalarope towed Merganser and another former U.S. Navy patrol boat, the BOF vessel USFS Petrel, from Quincy to the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia. [2] There Merganser and Petrel were loaded aboard the U.S. Navy collier USS Neptune on 3 October 1919. [2] Neptune transported them to the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington, arriving there in early 1920. [2] After they were unloaded, Merganser and Petrel were taken to Seattle, Washington, to undergo inspection. [2]

After the inspections were complete, Merganser and Petrel were loaded aboard the Pacific American Fisheries steamer Redwood, which transported them to Kings Cove, Territory of Alaska, where Redwood arrived on 18 June 1920. [2] The BOF intended to use them to conduct fishery patrols in the waters of Alaska, but withheld them from service, and instead sent them back to Seattle for repairs and to modify them for fishery patrol work as funds became available for the repairs and modifications. [2] During the remainder of 1920,Merganser underwent over US$3,000 in repairs at Seattle. [2]

In March 1921, the United States Forest Service vessel Hiawatha towed Merganser to Ketchikan, Territory of Alaska. [2] She conducted no fishery patrols, and nearly a year later, in early 1922, the BOF vessel USFS Auklet towed her from Wrangell, Territory of Alaska, back to Seattle, where she underwent additional repairs and had her original 20- horsepower (15  kW ) Alco gasoline engine replaced with a new 16-horsepower (12 kW) engine. [2] After two months in Seattle, she was loaded aboard the Northwestern Fisheries Company ship St. Paul, which transported her to Chignik, Territory of Alaska, arriving there on 25 April 1922. [2]

Merganser finally took up her fishery patrol duties during the 1922 fishing season, and began her career of law enforcement protecting halibut, salmon, sea otter, and fur seal populations in the waters of the Territory of Alaska. [2] Generally, she patrolled actively each year during the fishing season, then was hauled out of the water during each off season. [2]

During the mid-1920s, Merganser was based at Ikatan on Unimak Island in the Aleutian Islands, from which she conducted fishery patrols along the Alaska Peninsula. [2] In 1925, she ran aground on Unimak Island and was declared missing. [2] Sent to search for her, the United States Coast Guard cutter USCGC Haida discovered her 10 days after she ran aground and pulled her free; Merganser was found to have suffered only minor damage. [2]

In 1931, the BOF transferred Merganser from fishery patrol duty to duty as the tender for the fish hatchery at Yes Bay, Territory of Alaska, replacing the BOF launch USFS Puffin in this capacity. [2] After the hatchery closed in 1933, Merganser returned to fishery patrols, operating in the southwestern district in the Territory of Alaska. [2]

Fish and Wildlife Service

In 1939, the BOF was transferred from the United States Department of Commerce to the United States Department of the Interior, [3] and on 30 June 1940, it was merged with the Interior Department's Division of Biological Survey to form the new Fish and Wildlife Service, [4] an element of the Interior Department destined to become the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1956. [5] The vessel thus became part of the FWS fleet as US FWS Merganser. Merganser last appeared on an FWS vessel list in 1942; [2] she did not appear on FWS lists in 1943, [2] and presumably was decommissioned in the meantime.

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United States Fish and Wildlife Service United States federal government agency

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is an agency of the United States Federal Government within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats. The mission of the agency is "working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."

United States Fish Commission

The United States Fish Commission, formally known as the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, was an agency of the United States government created in 1871 to investigate, promote, and preserve the fisheries of the United States. In 1903, it was reorganized as the United States Bureau of Fisheries, sometimes referred to as the United States Fisheries Service, which operated until 1940. In 1940, the Bureau of Fisheries was abolished when its personnel and facilities became part of the newly created Fish and Wildlife Service, under the United States Department of the Interior.

USS <i>Edithena</i> (SP-624) Patrol vessel of the United States Navy

USS Edithena was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1919 that saw service during World War I. Prior to her U.S. Navy service, she operated as the private motor yacht Edithena from 1914 to 1917. After the conclusion World War I, she served as the fishery patrol vessel USFS Widgeon in the fleet of the United States Bureau of Fisheries from 1919 to 1940 and as US FWS Widgeon in the fleet of the Fish and Wildlife Service from 1940 to 1942. During World War II, she returned to U.S. Navy service from 1942 to 1944 as the yard patrol boat USS YP-200. By 1947 she had returned to private ownership, first as Edithena and during the 1970s and 1980s as the fishing vessel Ila Mae.

USS Halcyon (SP-518) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1919. She saw service during World War I and its immediate aftermath. After the conclusion of her naval service, she was in the United States Bureau of Fisheries fleet as the research vessel USFS Halcyon from 1919 to 1927.

USS <i>Wachusetts</i> (SP-548)

USS Wachusetts (SP-548) was an armed motorboat that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919. She was renamed SP-548 during her period of service. In 1919 she was transferred to the United States Bureau of Fisheries and renamed USFS Fulmar, and operated as a fisheries science research vessel on the Great Lakes until 1933 or 1934, when she was transferred to the Ohio Division of Conservation.

USS <i>Raeo</i> Patrol vessel of the United States Navy

USS Raeo (SP-588) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1919. Prior to her U.S. Navy service, she operated as the motor passenger vessel Raeo from 1908 to 1917. After the conclusion of her U.S. Navy career, she served as the fishery patrol vessel USFS Kittiwake in the United States Bureau of Fisheries fleet from 1919 to 1940 and as US FWS Kittiwake in the Fish and Wildlife Service fleet from 1940 to 1942 and from 1944 to at least 1945, and perhaps as late as 1948. During World War II, she again served in the U.S. Navy, this time as the yard patrol boat USS YP-199. She was the civilian fishing vessel Raeo from 1948 to 1957, then operated in various roles as Harbor Queen from 1957 to 1997. She became Entiat Princess in 1998 and as of 2009 was still in service.

USS <i>Cobra</i> (SP-626)

USS Cobra (SP-626) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1919 that operated during World War I. She originally was constructed as a private motorboat. After the conclusion of her U.S. Navy career, she served as the fishery patrol vessel USFS Petrel for the United States Bureau of Fisheries from 1919 to 1934, operating in the waters of the Territory of Alaska.

USFS <i>Penguin</i>

USFS Penguin was an American cargo liner in commission in the fleet of the United States Bureau of Fisheries from 1930 to 1940 and, as US FWS Penguin, in the fleet of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1940 to 1950. She ran a passenger-cargo service between Seattle, Washington, and the Pribilof Islands, and provided transportation between the two inhabited Pribilofs, Saint Paul Island and St. George Island. She also carried passengers, supplies, and provisions to destinations on the mainland of the Territory of Alaska and in the Aleutian Islands. She occasionally supported research activities in Alaskan waters and the North Pacific Ocean.

USFS <i>Eider</i> Ship of the United States Bureau of Fisheries

USFS Eider was an American motor schooner in commission in the fleet of the United States Bureau of Fisheries from 1919 to 1940 and, as US FWS Eider, in the fleet of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1940 to 1942 and again in the late 1940s. She ran a passenger-cargo service between Unalaska and the Pribilof Islands, and also carried passengers, supplies, and provisions to destinations on the mainland of the Territory of Alaska and in the Aleutian Islands. She occasionally supported research activities in Alaskan waters and the North Pacific Ocean, and she conducted patrols to protect Alaskan fisheries and marine mammals. In 1924, she provided logistical support to the first aerial circumnavigation of the world.

USFS <i>Auklet</i> American fishery patrol vessel

USFS Auklet was an American fishery patrol vessel that served in the waters of Southeast Alaska. She was in commission in the United States Bureau of Fisheries from 1917 to 1940 and in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as US FWS Auklet from 1940 to 1950.

USFS <i>Murre</i>

USFS Murre was an American fishery patrol vessel that served in the waters of Southeast Alaska. She was in commission in the United States Bureau of Fisheries fleet from 1917 to 1940 and, as US FWS Murre in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fleet from 1940 to 1942. Murre and her sister ship USFS Auklet were the first vessels ever constructed for fisheries enforcement duties in Alaska.

A merganser is a fish-eating duck of the genus Mergus – also known as the "typical mergansers" – in the subfamily Anatinae.

USFS <i>Osprey</i>

USFS Osprey was an American steamer that served as a fishery patrol vessel in the waters of the Territory of Alaska. She was in commission in the United States Bureau of Fisheries (BOF) from 1913 to 1921, and was the first vessel the BOF ever operated on fishery patrols in the Alaska. Before the BOF purchased her, she was the commercial cannery tender Wigwam from 1895 to 1912. After her BOF career ended, she operated as a commercial motor tug with the name Foss No. 19 from 1922 to 1965 and with the name Kiowa from 1965 until she sank in 1978.

USFS <i>Crane</i>

USFS Crane was an American fishery patrol vessel that operated in the waters of the Territory of Alaska. She was in commission in the United States Bureau of Fisheries (BOF) fleet from 1928 to 1940. She then served as US FWS Crane in the fleet of the Fish and Wildlife Service from 1940 to 1960. After a brief stint in the fleet of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game during 1960, she was sold into private service, at various times named Crane, Brapo, Fishing 5, Belle, and Patricia during the 1960s and 1970s and then again Crane since 1978. She remained in service as of 2020.

USFS <i>Teal</i>

USFS Teal was an American fishery patrol vessel that operated in the waters of the Territory of Alaska. She was part of the fleet of the United States Bureau of Fisheries (BOF) fleet from 1928 to 1940. She then served as US FWS Teal in the fleet of the Fish and Wildlife Service from 1940 to 1960. After a stint in the fleet of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game from 1960 to 1966, she was sold into private service, and remained in operation as of 2016.

USFS <i>Scoter</i>

USFS Scoter was an American fishery patrol vessel that operated in the waters of the Territory of Alaska. She was part of the United States Bureau of Fisheries (BOF) fleet from 1922 to 1940. She then served as US FWS Scoter in the fleet of the Fish and Wildlife Service from 1940 to 1950. Before her United States Government service, she was the commercial purse seiner Clatsop. She returned to that name and to private ownership after the conclusion of her U.S. Government career.

USFS <i>Blue Wing</i>

USFS Blue Wing was an American fishery patrol vessel that operated in the waters of the Territory of Alaska. She was part of the United States Bureau of Fisheries (BOF) fleet from 1924 to 1940. She then served as US FWS Blue Wing in the fleet of the Fish and Wildlife Service from 1940 until at least 1951. Before her United States Government service, she was the commercial purse seiner August. In private ownership after the conclusion of her U.S. Government career she was renamed El Don.

USFS <i>Brant</i>

USFS Brant was an American fishery patrol vessel that operated in the waters of the Territory of Alaska and off Washington, California, and Mexico. She was part of the United States Bureau of Fisheries (BOF) fleet from 1926 to 1940. She then served as US FWS Brant in the fleet of the Fish and Wildlife Service from 1940 to 1953. She then operated commercially until she sank in 1960.

USFS <i>Pelican</i>

USFS Pelican was an American fisheries science research ship and fishery patrol vessel that operated along the United States East Coast and the United States Gulf Coast and in the waters of the Territory of Alaska. She was part of the United States Bureau of Fisheries (BOF) fleet from 1930 to 1940. She then served as US FWS Pelican in the fleet of the Fish and Wildlife Service – from 1956 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service – from 1940 to 1958. She served as a fishery patrol vessel while on loan to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife from 1958 to 1970, then briefly returned to the Fish and Wildlife Service's successor agency, the National Marine Fisheries Service. Her United States Government service ended when she was sold into private hands in 1972, and she remained extant as of 2010. In 2017 Captain Patrick Burns and Captain John (Johnny) Sylvester purchased the Pelican from Marilyn Masland. She is currently moored in Deer Harbor on Orcas Island, WA. In 2018 she was brought up the Inside Passage to Alaska and back to Washington.

USFC <i>Phalarope</i>

USFC Phalarope was an American fish culture and fisheries science research vessel that operated along the coast of New England. She was part of the fleet of the United States Commission on Fish and Fisheries, generally referred to as the United States Fish Commission, from 1900 to 1903 and in the fleet of its successor, the United States Bureau of Fisheries, as USFS Phalarope from 1903 until 1917 and again from 1919 until fiscal year 1933. She was in commission in the United States Navy as the patrol vessel USS Phalarope from 1917 to 1919, seeing service during World War I. Before her United States Government service, she was the steam yacht Adelita.

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Navigation and Steamboat Inspection, Merchant Vessels of the United States (Including Yachts and Government Vessels), Year Ended June 30, 1933, Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1932, pp. 151, 1131.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center "AFSC Historical Corner: Petrel and Merganser, World War I Boats"
  3. ↑ "Fisheries Historical Timeline: Historical Highlights 1930's". NOAA Fisheries Service: Northeast Fisheries Science Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 16 June 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  4. ↑ "Fisheries Historical Timeline: Historical Highlights 1940's". NOAA Fisheries Service: Northeast Fisheries Science Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 16 June 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  5. ↑ "Fisheries Historical Timeline: Historical Highlights 1950's". NOAA Fisheries Service: Northeast Fisheries Science Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 16 June 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
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