The USS Xarifa (SP-581) was a patrol vessel of the United States Navy, originally constructed as a composite-hulled sailing yacht with an auxiliary steam engine. Built in 1894 by J. Samuel White & Co., Ltd., in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, the vessel featured a combination of traditional sailing design and steam propulsion, reflecting the maritime technology of the late 19th century. Initially named Xarifa, the yacht served under this name before briefly being called Ophelie, and was later acquired by C. N. Nelson before 1911, when she resumed her original name and operated out of Port Washington, Long Island, New York. Following the outbreak of World War I, the U.S. Navy acquired the vessel on August 9, 1917, designating her SP-581. The Navy intended her for service in European waters; however, during the fitting-out process, she was deemed unsuitable for "distant service" due to her design or capabilities. Instead, Xarifa was assigned to the 3rd Naval District and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on February 23, 1918. As part of her wartime duties, she conducted patrols along the approaches to New York Harbor, playing a role in maritime security during the final year of the war and the immediate post-war period. Xarifa's service was relatively brief; she was decommissioned on March 31, 1919, shortly after the end of hostilities, and returned to her owner on May 4, 1919. Her role as a section patrol vessel underscores her importance in coastal defense and harbor patrols during World War I, contributing to the protection of vital maritime approaches during a critical period in U.S. naval 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.