The USS Zircon (PY-16) was originally a private yacht named Nakhoda, built for automobile executive Frederick J. Fisher by the Pusey and Jones Corporation in Wilmington, Delaware. Launched in August 1929 and delivered in February 1930, Nakhoda was a luxurious vessel measuring approximately 235 feet 4 inches in overall length, with a beam of 34.2 feet and a draft of around 12.5 to 13 feet. Designed for extended cruising, it featured twin Winton diesel engines of 1,100 horsepower each, enabling a range of at least 10,000 nautical miles. The yacht boasted lavish accommodations, including an owner's suite with two baths, five guest double staterooms with private baths, a large dining room, and social spaces such as a music room, owner's lounge, and library. Its deck house housed the bridge, captain's quarters, radio, and navigation rooms, along with a smoking room, gymnasium, and club room. The vessel's construction reflected a high standard of luxury and engineering, with electrical power supplied by three generating sets. In 1940, the U.S. Navy acquired Nakhoda, renaming it USS Zircon and designating it PY-16. Commissioned in March 1941, Zircon was outfitted as an armed patrol yacht. During World War II, Zircon served in various roles, including as an antiaircraft gunnery school ship in New London, Connecticut, and as an inshore patrol vessel. It also conducted convoy escort missions between Guantánamo Bay and New York City, occasionally visiting West Indies ports. Notably, in April 1942, Zircon rescued sixteen survivors from the torpedoed merchant ship Otho. It also responded to fires and explosions near Boston Harbor, rescuing fourteen crew members from the USS YF-415. In late 1944, Zircon served on weather patrols in the North Atlantic and was briefly the flagship for the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, until the end of the war. Decommissioned in May 1946 and struck from the Navy List in June, Zircon was sold in 1947 and reverted to its original name, Nakhoda. It was later acquired by the United New York Sandy Hook Pilots Association in 1951, renamed New York, and served in maritime pilotage until its sale in 1973. Throughout its service, USS Zircon was a notable example of a luxury yacht repurposed for wartime duties, contributing significantly to convoy protection and patrol operations during the war.

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