The USS Itasca (SP-810), later known as USS SP-810, was a wooden motorboat constructed in 1908 by the Stamford Motor Construction Company in Stamford, Connecticut. Originally a private vessel owned by Henry Henke, it was designed for recreational use and featured a classic wooden hull typical of early 20th-century motorboats. In 1917, amid World War I, the U.S. Navy leased her from Henke to serve as a section patrol vessel, a common practice for utilizing private craft for wartime needs. Although sources vary regarding her commissioning date—either August 10, 1917, or July 1917—she was officially commissioned as USS Itasca (SP-810) or USS SP-810 in mid to late 1917. Despite being armed for patrol duties, her role within the Navy primarily shifted to that of a hospital boat, serving in the Norfolk, Virginia, area. Her conversion into a hospital ship was part of the Navy’s broader strategy to utilize available vessels for medical and logistical support during the war. In April 1918, she was renamed USS SP-810, reflecting her specialized role. The vessel remained in service as a hospital boat through the end of World War I and into early 1919, providing medical support to naval personnel. Her service concluded when she was returned to her owner, Henry Henke, on February 26, 1919. The USS Itasca (SP-810) exemplifies the U.S. Navy's utilization of private vessels during wartime, fulfilling crucial auxiliary roles such as hospital support. Her wooden construction, civilian origins, and adaptation for wartime service highlight the versatility and resourcefulness of naval operations 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.