The USS Wright (AZ-1/AV-1), a unique auxiliary vessel in the United States Navy, was originally constructed as a kite balloon tender and later converted into a seaplane tender. Built at Hog Island, Pennsylvania, she was laid down by the American International Shipbuilding Corporation under a U.S. Shipping Board contract as hull no. 680, initially designated as USAT Somme. Launched on 28 April 1920 and renamed Wright in April 1920, she was converted by the Tietjen and Lang Dry Dock Company of Hoboken, New Jersey, and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 16 December 1921. Her first commanding officer was Captain Alfred W. Johnson. The ship featured a distinctive "balloon well" aft, allowing her to tend kite balloons for experimental operations, a role she performed early in her career. She was equipped to support both lighter-than-air and heavier-than-air aircraft, with her initial duties including tending seaplanes such as Felixstowe F5L and NC-10 flying boats. Wright participated in various operations along the U.S. East Coast, the Caribbean, and the Hawaiian Islands, conducting bombing exercises, fleet problems, and patrols. Notably, she was involved in Fleet Problem I in 1923, testing defenses of the Panama Canal, and supported the salvage operation of the submarine S-4 in 1927-1928. Reclassified as AV-1 in 1932, she continued her role as a seaplane tender, supporting naval aviation training and operations from bases including Norfolk, Newport, Guantanamo Bay, and San Diego. In 1939, her conversion to a heavier-than-air aircraft tender was completed, and she operated extensively along the West Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska. During World War II, Wright supported the establishment of advanced bases across the Pacific, transporting Marines, aviation personnel, and supplies to remote islands such as Wake, Midway, and Guadalcanal. She also served as flagship for various naval aviation commands. In 1944, she was reclassified as a headquarters ship (AG-79) and renamed USS San Clemente, serving as a key command vessel in the Pacific Fleet through Japan’s surrender. She continued her service until decommissioning on 21 June 1946, was struck from the register in July 1946, and sold for scrap in August 1948. Her service exemplifies the evolution of auxiliary naval support vessels and her significance in naval aviation 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.