USS ''Despatch'' (SP-68), later PY-8, originally USS ''Vixen'' (SP-68), was a steam yacht that served in the United States Navy as a

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from 1917 to 1919 and from 1920 to 1921.

Construction and acquisition

''Despatch'' was built for John Dustin Archbold as the private steam yacht ''Vixen'' in 1913 at Morris Heights, New York, by the

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and the Charles L. Seabury Company. The U.S. Navy purchased her on 6 August 1917 for World War I service and commissioned her on 10 August 1917 as USS ''Vixen'' (SP-68). Just eleven days later, on 21 August 1917, she was renamed USS ''Despatch'' (SP-68).

First period in commission, 1917–1919

''Despatch'' was assigned duties as a

with the United States Atlantic Fleet, operating along the United States East Coast between

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, and New London, Connecticut, as well as in the Chesapeake Bay and in the Potomac River. She carried men, mail, and supplies to the fleet, transported United States Government officials and high-ranking officers between Washington, D.C., and bases in the Norfolk area, and carried Commander,

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Force One, on inspection cruises. Between 13 March 1919 and 23 June 1919, she was

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for Commander, Division Four, Battleship Force, in

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, Virginia. ''Despatch'' was decommissioned on 15 July 1919 and laid up at Norfolk.

Second period in commission, 1920–1921

''Despatch'' was recommissioned at Norfolk on 12 April 1920. Assigned to duty as flagship and tender for the Military Governor of Santo Domingo, she reported for her new duty on 26 June 1920. She was reclassified as a patrol yacht and redesignated PY-8 on 17 July 1920. For the next year, ''Despatch'' carried officials on inspection tours in the

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and delivered passengers, mail, and stores to ships and stations in the West Indies. ''Despatch'' arrived at New York City on 10 August 1921 to assume tender duty with the Atlantic Fleet, serving temporarily as flagship. During these last few months of her career, she was at sea only for two brief voyages between New York and Newport, Rhode Island. ''Despatch'' was decommissioned for the second and final time on 9 December 1921 at New York.

Final disposition

''Despatch'' had been laid up for over six years when an

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of 10 March 1928 approved her transfer to the government of the State of Florida. Accordingly, the Navy transferred her to the State of Florida on 10 May 1928.

References

*
Department of the Navy Naval Historical Center Online Library of Selected Images: U.S. Navy Ships: USS ''Despatch'' (SP-68, later PY-8), 1917–1928. Briefly named ''Vixen'' in August 1917. Originally the civilian steam yacht ''Vixen'' (1913)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Despatch (SP-68) 1913 ships Ships built in Morris Heights, Bronx Steam yachts World War I auxiliary ships of the United States