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The USS Phenakite was a converted yacht that was used by the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945. It was also known as "Celt", "Sachem (SP-192)", "Sightseer" and "Circle Line V"

History

The Phenakite was built 1902 as the yacht Celt by the Pusey and Jones Co., Wilmington, Delaware. It was launched on 12 April 1902. It was acquired by the Navy 3 July 1917. It was placed in service as USS Sachem (SP 192), 19 August 1917 and used as a Coastal Patrol Yacht.

After the end of World War I, the Sachem was returned to her owner, Manton B. Metcalf of New York, 10 February 1919. It was sold to Philadelphia banker Roland L. Taylor. Resold in 1932 to Jacob "Jake" Martin and converted to a fishing boat.

It was reacquired by the Navy 17 February 1942 for $65,000 and converted for Naval service at Robert Jacobs Inc., City Island, NY. It was commissioned as USS Phenakite (PYc-25), 1 July 1942 at Tompkinsville, NY. It was Decommissioned and placed in service 17 November 1944, then placed out of service 2 October 1945 at Tompkinsville, and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal 5 November 1945.

The vessel was then returned to her previous owner, Mr. J. Martin of Brooklyn, NY and renamed Sachem on 29 December 1945. It was struck from the Naval Register 7 February 1946. It was subsequently resold to the Circle Line of New York City and renamed Sightseer, but was later renamed Circle Line V. Reportedly scrapped in 1984. Found abandoned outside of Lawrenceburg, Indiana on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River.

References

1. ^ http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1425.htm

External links

• http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/the-ghost-ship.html
• http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?170680

• 1902 ships