The USS Narada (SP-161) was originally constructed as a Scottish steam yacht named Semiramis in 1889 by Ramage & Ferguson at Victoria Shipyard in Leith, Scotland. The vessel featured a steel hull measuring 224.0 feet (68.3 meters) overall and 206.4 feet (62.9 meters) between perpendiculars, with a beam of 27.1 feet (8.3 meters) and a draft of 15.8 feet (4.8 meters). Powered by a 725 indicated-horsepower triple expansion steam engine, she drove a single screw propeller, enabling her to undertake long voyages with considerable speed and endurance. Her gross register tonnage was 491 GRT, and her net register tonnage was 272 NRT. Initially launched as Semiramis on 30 May 1889 for John Lysaght of Bristol, the yacht was registered at Leith after her trials in the Firth of Forth. She was named after the legendary Assyrian ruler. In September 1892, she was sold to French buyer Mme. Amicie Lebaudy and renamed Margarita, later becoming Narada. Throughout her early years, she served various owners, including Anthony Joseph Drexel Jr., who renamed her Margarita in honor of his wife. During World War I, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, Henry D. Walters of Baltimore, Maryland, on 30 June 1917, and commissioned her as USS Narada (SP-161) on 12 October 1917. Her naval service was based out of New London, Connecticut, where she was employed primarily for experimental submarine signal work, contributing to early U.S. naval efforts in anti-submarine technology. After completing her service, she arrived in New York City on 13 January 1919, was decommissioned the same day, and returned to her owner on 4 February 1919. The USS Narada's conversion from a private steam yacht to a naval patrol vessel exemplifies the common wartime practice of repurposing civilian vessels for military needs during World War I, highlighting her maritime significance in naval experimentation and wartime 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.