The USS Wild Goose (SP-562) was a wooden-hulled civilian screw steamer built in 1913 by the Gas Engine and Power Company and Charles L. Seabury Company at Morris Heights in the Bronx, New York. Designed by Charles L. Seabury, the vessel exemplifies early 20th-century civilian maritime engineering, featuring a screw propulsion system suitable for both commercial and patrol duties. In April 1917, as the United States entered World War I, the Navy acquired the vessel from her owner, Charles L. Harding of Boston, Massachusetts, and commissioned her as USS Wild Goose (SP-562) on June 25, 1917. Following her fitting out for naval service, she was assigned to the 1st Naval District, where she conducted patrol operations in northern New England. At some point, she was transferred to the 5th Naval District based in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and was known to be operating there in November 1918, supporting maritime security during the wartime period. After the conclusion of World War I, the Navy retained Wild Goose, stationing her at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., as of October 1919. Her service was primarily patrol and district assignment, emphasizing her role in coastal defense and district patrol duties during and immediately after the war. In June 1920, the vessel was loaned to the City of Norfolk, Virginia, before being returned to the Navy. The vessel was placed on the sale list in August 1920 and was ultimately sold on November 17, 1920. Throughout her service, USS Wild Goose (SP-562) played a modest but vital role in maritime patrols along the U.S. Atlantic coast during World War I, exemplifying the Navy’s utilization of civilian vessels for wartime patrol and security operations. Notably, she should not be confused with USS Wild Goose II (SP-891), another patrol vessel in commission during the same period.

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