The USS Buck (SP-1355), later known as USS SP-1355, was a civilian motorboat constructed in 1911. As a relatively small vessel, she was repurposed for military service during World War I. The U.S. Navy acquired her on 24 August 1917 through a free lease from the Conservation Commission of Maryland, reflecting her civilian origins before her naval commissioning. She was officially commissioned as USS Buck (SP-1355) on 13 September 1917. Designed primarily as a tender, Buck served in the 5th Naval District, with her operational base in Norfolk, Virginia. Her role was to provide support and auxiliary services, assisting larger warships and naval installations during the wartime period. Her service was straightforward and focused on logistical support within her assigned district. In April 1918, she was renamed USS SP-1355, a common practice for section patrol vessels to adopt more standardized designations. Her service concluded late in 1918, and she was decommissioned shortly thereafter. The vessel was returned to the Conservation Commission of Maryland either on 24 September 1918 or 27 November 1918, marking the end of her brief military career. Throughout her service, USS Buck (SP-1355) played a modest but vital role in supporting naval operations along the U.S. East Coast during World War I. Her history exemplifies the common practice of converting civilian vessels for wartime auxiliary use, contributing to the logistical and operational needs of the U.S. Navy during a period of global conflict.

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