The USS Roamer (SP-1047) was a United States Navy patrol vessel that served during World War I from 1917 to 1919. Originally constructed as a civilian steam launch in 1902 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol, Rhode Island, the vessel was later acquired by the U.S. Navy for wartime service. The Roamer was a relatively small steam-powered craft, designed for civilian use before her military adaptation. When requisitioned by the Navy on June 29, 1917, she was obtained from the State of Florida at Tallahassee, indicating her prior civilian ownership or use within that state. She was officially commissioned into Navy service on July 20, 1917, bearing the designation USS Roamer (SP-1047). During her naval service, the USS Roamer was assigned to the 8th Naval District, where she undertook patrol duties along the U.S. coastline, an essential role in safeguarding maritime traffic and coastlines during wartime. Her patrol duties would have included surveillance, escort, and reconnaissance tasks, typical of small section patrol boats during this period. After the conclusion of World War I, the USS Roamer was decommissioned on January 28, 1919. She was subsequently stricken from the Navy List on June 17, 1919, marking her official removal from active service. Less than a month later, on July 19, 1919, she was sold to Frank A. Egan of New Rochelle, New York. In summary, USS Roamer (SP-1047) was a small, civilian-built steam launch repurposed for patrol duties during World War I, contributing to the U.S. Navy’s coastal security efforts. Her service exemplifies the Navy’s wartime practice of acquiring civilian vessels for auxiliary roles, and her post-war sale marked her return to civilian life.

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