The USS Satilla (SP-687) was a United States Navy patrol vessel that served from 1917 to 1919 during World War I. Originally constructed as a private steam yacht, she was built in 1902 by George Lawley & Son in Neponset, Massachusetts. The vessel's design and specifications reflect her original purpose as a luxury yacht, though specific dimensions and technical details are not provided in the available account. After the death of her owner, R. Hall McCormick of Chicago, Illinois, the State of Maine purchased her in May 1917 for local patrol use. The U.S. Navy acquired her from the state on May 17, 1917, and she was commissioned as USS Saltilla (SP-687) on May 31, 1917. The vessel was assigned to the Maine Naval Militia and patrolled the coast of Maine, including areas around Rockland and Bath, to safeguard the maritime approaches during wartime. Her duties included routine patrols and acting as an escort, notably accompanying the destroyer USS Manley during sea trials off Bath in September 1917. In mid-1918, while docked alongside the Hodge Boiler Works pier in Boston, Satilla was accidentally rammed by the minesweeper USS Ibis (SP-3051). This collision caused significant damage, with her hull buckled on the port side and leaking. Despite the damage, she was repaired over the following months and returned to service, although she was not active during the final phase of the war. After the war, Satilla was taken to Boston in September 1919 and placed in custody of the 1st Naval District. She was officially stricken from the Navy List in November 1919 and sold in March 1920 to Oscar L. Ledberg of Providence, Rhode Island. Renamed Edith, she was used as a private yacht until 1927, after which Captain William Baletti of Hoboken, New Jersey, employed her as a fishing boat. Her service highlights her transition from a private luxury vessel to a naval patrol craft and later a civilian fishing vessel, reflecting her versatile maritime history.

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