An armed yacht was a yacht that was armed with weapons and was typically in the service of a navy. The word "yacht" was originally applied to small, fast and agile naval vessels suited to piracy and to employment by navies and coast guards against smugglers and pirates. Vessels of this type were adapted to racing by wealthy owners. The origin of civilian yachts as naval vessels, with their speed and maneuverability, made them useful for adaptation to their original function as patrol vessels. In the United States Navy armed yachts were typically private yachts expropriated for government use in times of war. Armed yachts served as patrol vessels during the Spanish–American War and the World Wars. In the latter conflicts, armed yachts were used as patrol vessels, convoy escorts, and in anti-submarine duties. In the United States, yachts were purchased from their owners with the owners given an option to repurchase their yacht at the close of hostilities.
The first USS Acoma (SP-1228) was a relatively fast motorboat for the time—capable of running at 25 knots – that was leased from its owner by the United States Navy during World War I. She was outfitted as an armed section patrol craft and assigned to patrol the waterways of Newport, Rhode Island, and New Bedford, Massachusetts. She was returned to her owner at war's end.
USS Chingachgook (SP-35) was a motorboat acquired by the United States Navy during World War I. She was outfitted as an armed patrol craft for the 3d Naval District and assigned to patrol New York City waterways. Unfortunately, after several months of operation by the Navy, an on-board gasoline explosion destroyed the craft.
USS Elithro II (SP-15) was an armed motorboat that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1918.
The first USS Mustang (SP-36) was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919.
USS Chichota (SP-65) was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1918.
USS Rutoma (SP-78) was an armed motorboat that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919.
The third USS Uncas (SP-689), later USS SP-689, was an armed motorboat that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1918.
The third USS Mohican (SP-117), later USS SP-117, was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919.
The first USS Josephine (SP-913), later USS SP-913, was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.
USS Hobcaw (SP-252) was a United States Navy patrol vessel, towing boat, and ferryboat in commission from 1917 to 1918.
USS Navajo III (SP-298), later USS SP-298, was an armed motorboat that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919.
USS Wyandance (SP-359) was a patrol boat that served in the United States Navy from 1917 to 1918.
USS Kestrel II (SP-529) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.
USS Beluga (SP-536) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.
USS Miramar (SP-672), later USS SP-672, was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.
USS Sapphire (SP-710) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.
USS Jimetta (SP-878) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.
The first USS Vision (SP-744), later USS SP-744, was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1919.
USS Hebe (SP-966) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.
United States