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Brown Smith Jones

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Brown Smith Jones
The Brown Smith Jones in naval service as the USS Dorchester with a motorboat alongside during World War I, probably in the Chesapeake Bay area.
History
Maryland
NameBrown Smith Jones
Namesakegovernor, comptroller, and treasurer of Maryland
OwnerMaryland State Fishery Police
BuilderG. T. Johnson, Cambridge[1]
Completed1894
FateAcquired by US Navy
History
United States
NameDorchester
NamesakeDorchester County, Maryland
Acquired24 August 1917
Commissioned24 August 1917
Decommissioned26 November 1918
FateReturned to owner
History
Maryland
NameBrown Smith Jones
OwnerMaryland State Fishery Police
Acquired26 November 1918
FateSold to private owner; converted to yacht
General characteristics [1]
TypePatrol vessel
Length65.8 ft (20.1 m)
Beam18.7 ft (5.7 m)
Draft5.8 ft (1.8 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planSchooner-rigged

The Brown Smith Jones was a patrol boat of the Maryland State Fishery Police which also served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1918.

It was built in 1894 and took its name from the last names respectively of the governor, the state comptroller, and the state treasurer. The design was that of a Chesapeake Bay bugeye, a type of oyster-dredging boat, but with an enlarged cabin replacing the equipment for handling the dredge. She was equipped with a one-pound repeating rifle mounted before the foremast.

The U.S. Navy acquired her on 24 August 1917 for World War I service as a patrol vessel and she was commissioned the same day as the USS Dorchester (SP-1509).. She served in the 5th Naval District for the remainder of World War I, patrolling waters in Maryland and Virginia. The Navy decommissioned her and returned her to the state on 26 November 1918.

In the early 1930s the ship was sold to H. K. Rigg and converted to a yacht.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Brewington, M. V. (1961). Chesapeake Log Canoes and Bugeyes. Cambridge, Maryland: Cornell Maritime Press. p. 101. ISBN 0-87033-011-X.
  2. ^ Lesher, Pete. "Workboat yachts: Commercial Boats Appropriated for Pleasure Cruising" (PDF). Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. p. 2. Retrieved 2017-09-19.