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Revision as of 03:06, 11 March 2014

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 U.S. Navy 3 July 1917. It was placed in service as USS Sachem (SP 192) on 19 August 1917 and used as a Coastal Patrol Yacht. During its Navy service, it was loaned to inventor Thomas Edison who conducted experiments with it.

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 who converted it to a fishing boat.

It was reacquired by the Navy on 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 on 2 October 1945 at Tompkinsville, and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal on 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. It appeared in Madonna's Papa Don't Preach video.

The Circle Line V was reportedly scrapped in 1984 but was found abandoned outside of Lawrenceburg, Indiana on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River where it has been since 1987. It is commonly referred to by locals as "The Ghost Ship".

In March 2014 it was the subject of a story on Broken News Daily.

Present Location

Found abandoned outside of Lawrenceburg, Indiana on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. It is a popular destination for kayak enthusiasts in the Cincinnati area referred to commonly as "The Ghost Ship"

Awards

For her service in the Navy, the Sachem received the following awards:

• World War One Victory Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal

References

1. ^ http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1425.htm
2. http://ohiokayak.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-trip-to-historic-lost-ghost-ship.html
3. http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/ship-lends-ghostly-history-to-paddlefest

External links

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

39°04′52.40″N 84°50′55.16″W / 39.0812222°N 84.8486556°W / 39.0812222; -84.8486556

• 1902 ships
• Ships built in Delaware
• World War II patrol vessels of the United States