The USS Advance was an Advance-class patrol boat built in 1917 by the Richardson Boat Company in North Tonawanda, New York. Originally constructed for the U.S. Coast Guard, this motorboat was acquired by the United States Navy during World War I and commissioned on June 6, 1917. The vessel was designated for section patrol duties within the 9th Naval District, likely operating along the Great Lakes throughout America's involvement in the war, although detailed records of her service are scarce. Constructed as a relatively small motorboat, the Advance served primarily as a coastal patrol craft, contributing to the U.S. Navy’s efforts to secure domestic waters during wartime. After the war, on August 28, 1919, the vessel was transferred back to the Coast Guard, where she continued her operations on the Great Lakes. By January 1, 1923, her home port was established at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. That same year, she was renamed AB-1 on November 6. On May 27, 1924, AB-1 experienced a significant accident when a gasoline explosion caused her to burn and sink at Sault Ste. Marie. She was subsequently raised, repaired, and returned to active service by August 20, 1924. Following her repair, she was transferred to Chicago, Illinois, where she remained based for approximately 38 months before returning to Sault Ste. Marie on October 15, 1927. She appears to have continued her service in the Great Lakes region until her name was removed from the Coast Guard register in 1940. Throughout her operational life, the vessel played a role in patrolling and safeguarding American waters, especially within the strategic Great Lakes region, serving both military and coast guard responsibilities during and after World War I. Her history reflects the versatile use of small patrol vessels during early 20th-century maritime security efforts.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.