The USS Zara (SP-133) was originally constructed as a steam yacht in Scotland in 1890 by Fleming and Ferguson at Paisley, with her launch occurring on June 3, 1891. She measured 152.0 feet (46.3 meters) in length, with a beam of 21.1 feet (6.4 meters) and a draft of 11 feet 7 inches (3.53 meters). Her tonnage was recorded at 195 gross register tons (GRT), 81 net register tons (NRT), and 247 Thames Measurement, indicating a vessel designed for luxury or private use, with a relatively slender profile suitable for a yacht. Throughout her early career, Zara changed ownership multiple times, initially registered in Glasgow under Peter Coats, then passing through owners in New York, Canada, and Toronto, where she was renamed Solgar in 1914. Her ownership included A. Edward Tower, HB Moore, GP Grant, William W Near, and David H Friedman. By 1917, she was owned by Friedman and subsequently acquired by the U.S. Navy. During her service in World War I, Zara was commissioned as USS Zara (SP-133) in May 1917. She was assigned to the section patrol in the 3rd Naval District, operating primarily in Long Island Sound. Her duties involved patrolling and safeguarding American waters during the war, reflecting her transition from private yacht to auxiliary naval vessel. She cruised the waters for nearly a year before being decommissioned in April 1918. Despite her decommissioning, the Navy kept her as a guard vessel at Whitestone, Queens, near the entrance to Long Island Sound, until her sale in September 1919. After her naval service, Zara was sold to Greek interests, specifically Atmoploia Stauroudi, who converted her into a passenger steamship. Her long and varied career, from a private Scottish yacht to a wartime patrol vessel and finally a passenger ship in Greece, highlights her versatility and the maritime significance of such vessels during the early 20th century.

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