The USS Avenger (SP-2646) was a wooden-hulled, screw-driven motorboat constructed in 1917 by Clement A. Troth in Camden, New Jersey. Originally designed as a yacht by J. Murray Watts, she was acquired by the U.S. Navy in May 1918 under a free lease from owner Philips J. Wunderle of Glenside, Pennsylvania. The vessel was designated SP-2646 and commissioned on 29 May 1918, serving as an armed patrol craft during World War I. Throughout her service, Avenger underwent significant modifications to prepare for naval patrol duties. She was fitted with a three-pounder gun, machine guns, and later, depth charges, reflecting her evolving role in anti-submarine warfare. Her armament and equipment included signals gear and a large searchlight, enabling her to conduct reconnaissance and convoy escort missions in the coastal waters of the 4th Naval District, including areas off Cape May, Atlantic City, Lewes, and near McCrie Shoal. Avenger’s operational history features multiple patrols, during which she responded to intelligence of enemy submarine activity, issued warnings to shipping, and participated in anti-submarine efforts. Notably, during her patrols, she communicated with other vessels, such as Emerald (SP-177), and took measures to safeguard maritime traffic. Her service was occasionally interrupted by mechanical issues, including damage from a muffler explosion and hull repairs at Essington, Pennsylvania, in late 1918. Her last patrol occurred in early November 1918, just before the signing of the armistice, after which she returned to port and was decommissioned on 19 December 1918. Following her naval service, she was delivered back to her builder’s yard in Camden and subsequently served under various private owners. The vessel retained her original name, Avenger, until she disappeared from American yacht registers after 1929. Her brief but active wartime career underscores her role as a patrol vessel in protecting American coastal waters during World War I.

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