The USS Quest (SP-171) was a United States Navy patrol vessel that served from 1917 to 1919, primarily during World War I. Originally built in 1916 by the Greenport Basin and Drydock Company at Greenport, Long Island, New York, she was initially constructed as a civilian motorboat named Whippet for U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Daniel Bacon. The vessel's hull design was notable for being similar to that of some submarine chasers then being built for the Imperial Russian Navy, indicating a design optimized for patrol and maneuverability. Under civilian ownership, she was soon renamed Quest, reflecting her future naval role. In July 1917, the U.S. Navy chartered Quest from her owner, preparing her for wartime service. She was officially commissioned as USS Quest (SP-171) in September 1917. During her naval career, she was assigned to the 2nd Naval District, with her home base at New Bedford, Massachusetts. Her primary duty involved section patrol along the southern coast of New England, where she contributed to coastal defense and maritime security during the war. Quest's service was relatively brief, concluding in January 1919 when she was returned to her original owner at Greenport. Her operational history highlights her role as a patrol vessel during a critical period in U.S. maritime defense, emphasizing the importance of small, swiftly built vessels in safeguarding coastal waters during wartime. The vessel's design and service record underscore her significance as an example of early 20th-century patrol craft, reflecting the U.S. Navy's reliance on versatile, quickly constructed vessels for coastal security 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.