The USCGC Triton (WPC-116) is a Thetis-class patrol boat constructed of steel and powered by diesel engines, commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in November 1934. She was designated as Coast Guard Patrol Boat No. 16 and assigned to Gulfport, Mississippi, where she operated in the Gulf of Mexico starting from early 1935. The vessel was built by the Marietta Manufacturing Company in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, with her construction contract awarded in November 1933. During her service, Triton played a significant role in maritime patrol and training operations, particularly along the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. Notably, she was transferred to the U.S. Navy in July 1941, prior to the U.S. entry into World War II, and was reclassified as patrol craft WPC-116. Operating out of Key West at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, Triton was actively involved in antisubmarine warfare (ASW) missions throughout the war. Her duties included local patrols, convoy escort, and hunting German U-boats in the Atlantic theater. Triton’s wartime activities included several notable engagements. She participated in early attempts to locate and attack enemy submarines, including a suspected contact on 21 February 1942, and was involved in the hunt following the sinking of SS Hagan in June 1942. During this period, she conducted depth charge attacks and sonar searches, ultimately contributing to the sinking of U-157 by another vessel in the same group. Triton also engaged enemy submarines during later operations, although she did not score any confirmed kills herself. After the war, Triton reverted to Coast Guard control and was reclassified as WMEC-116 in 1966, serving in Corpus Christi, Texas until 1967. Subsequently, she was sold as surplus and transformed into a passenger excursion vessel for Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises in New York City, where she is known as Circle Line XVII. She remains in service as a sightseeing boat, with her initial diesel engines replaced by modern GM 6-71 diesels and her electrical system upgraded to AC power, continuing her maritime legacy as both a patrol vessel and a public tourist attraction.

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