The USS Aquamarine (PYc-7) originated as the yacht Siele, launched in April 1926 by Pusey and Jones Corporation in Wilmington, Delaware. Built to a design by Benjamin T. Dobson, the vessel featured a steel hull divided into seven watertight compartments, with decks overlaid in teak. The yacht measured approximately 113.4 feet in length, with a beam of 20.6 feet and a depth of 9.6 feet. Its construction included a teak superstructure, a pilot house, and an interior richly finished with walnut paneling, ivory Vehisote trim, and plate glass windows. The vessel was powered by two six-cylinder Winton diesel engines, producing a total of 600 horsepower, driving twin bronze screws, which provided her with a comfortable cruising capability. Originally commissioned by Detroit banker John H. French, Siele was registered with the U.S. Official Number 225735 and operated out of Detroit. In 1940, she was sold to Robert H. Wolfe of Columbus, Ohio, who renamed her Sea Wolf. The U.S. Navy acquired her on 13 January 1941, commissioning her as USS Aquamarine (PYc-7) in April of that year. Although designated as a coastal patrol yacht, her primary service during World War II involved acoustical research at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. She conducted experiments mainly in underwater sound, operating on the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, off New London, Connecticut, and along the Florida coast and in the Bahamas. Her research included developing ship quieting techniques using bubble curtains, which significantly reduced underwater noise levels. After her decommissioning on 21 June 1946, Aquamarine was transferred to the Maritime Commission in 1947. She was returned to civilian ownership, with subsequent modifications to restore her for private use, including rebuilding her bow and stern, removing Navy-installed equipment, and extensive interior work. Renamed Miss Ann in 1954, she was owned by Ennolls A. Stephens and later served as a charter vessel on the Potomac River. As of 2019, she is docked at Evans Island in Monroe Bay, Colonial Beach, Virginia, serving as a historic and private vessel with notable contributions to acoustical research during her naval service.

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