The USS Mohican (SP-117), later designated USS SP-117, was an armed yacht serving as a patrol vessel for the United States Navy during World War I from 1917 to 1919. Originally constructed as a civilian steam yacht named Norseman, she was launched in 1890 by Laird Brothers in Birkenhead, Wirral. Designed by St Clare John Byrne, she was built for Engineer Samuel Radcliffe Platt. Over her civilian career, she was renamed SS Lady Godiva after being sold by Platt, and later acquired by New Yorker Tracy Dows, who named her Mohican. The vessel changed ownership several times, including ownership by Oliver and J. Borden Harriman in 1905, before her acquisition by the U.S. Navy. The Navy took her on a free lease from Robert Perkins of New York City on April 19, 1917, and commissioned her at New York City on June 7, 1917. She was assigned to the 3rd Naval District, primarily performing patrol and escort duties in New York Harbor and the surrounding waters. Her duties included directing maritime traffic and assisting vessels in distress, such as during the collision involving USS Mohawk off Sandy Hook, New Jersey, where she played a key role in rescuing all 77 crew members. In April 1918, to avoid confusion with another ship of the same name, she was renamed USS SP-117. She also undertook specialized observation duties, including carrying an air observation balloon and aviators for kite balloon observation at New York Harbor and Ambrose Channel from August 1918 through November 1918. After repairs, she continued service at Gravesend Bay until January 1919. She was decommissioned on February 15, 1919, at Tebo’s Yacht Basin in Brooklyn and was returned to her owner two days later. Her service highlights her versatility as a patrol vessel, rescue craft, and observation platform during a critical period of maritime security in 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.