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USS ''Amber'' (PYc-6) was a
Later in 1945 the yacht was sold to the Macco Construction Company of Clearwater, California and used as a freighter and for geological surveys, still as ''Amber''. In 1950 she was purchased by the Foss Launch and Tug Company of
Yacht" Infanta" owned by John Barrymore in Juneau 1931 and Whitehorse.
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Amber (Pyc-6) Patrol vessels of the United States Navy 1930 ships Motor yachts Barrymore family
patrol boat
A patrol boat (also referred to as a patrol craft, patrol ship, or patrol vessel) is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defence, border security, or law enforcement. There are many designs for patrol boats, and the ...
in the United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
during World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, built at Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California.
Incorporate ...
in 1930 as the yacht ''Infanta'' for the actor John Barrymore
John Barrymore (born John Sidney Blyth; February 14 or 15, 1882 – May 29, 1942) was an American actor on stage, screen and radio. A member of the Drew and Barrymore theatrical families, he initially tried to avoid the stage, and briefly att ...
.
Private yacht
''Infanta'' was designed by Ted Geary and built by theCraig Shipbuilding
'' Light Vessel No.57'' at Toledo, Ohio
Craig Shipbuilding was a shipbuilding company in Long Beach, California. To support the World War I demand for ships Craig Shipbuilding shipyard switched over to military construction and built: US ...
in Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California.
Incorporate ...
for John Barrymore as a present to his wife, actress Dolores Costello
Dolores Costello (September 17, 1903Costello's obituary in ''The New York Times'' says that she was born on September 17, 1905. – March 1, 1979) was an American film actress who achieved her greatest success during the era of silent movies. ...
. The keel was laid on 15 September 1929, launched on 16 January 1930 and named in honour of the couple's expected first child, Dee Dee Barrymore. The motor yacht
A yacht is a sailing or power vessel used for pleasure, cruising, or racing. There is no standard definition, though the term generally applies to vessels with a cabin intended for overnight use. To be termed a , as opposed to a , such a pleasu ...
was originally measured as 118 feet in length and with a tonnage of 253 GRT. Power was from two 275bhp
BHP Group Limited (formerly known as BHP Billiton) is an Australian multinational mining, metals, natural gas petroleum public company that is headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
The Broken Hill Proprietary Company was founded ...
Atlas-Imperial diesels driving twin propellers The Barrymores used the yacht sparingly, due to his preference for the simpler pleasures of his sailboat and his increasing alcoholism. By 18 July 1935 ''Infanta'' composed most of Barrymore's net worth, being assessed at $56,350 of his net $56,575. In 1937 the yacht, then valued at $75,000 was auctioned to satisfy a mortgage. The yacht was subsequently renamed ''Polaris'' by owners Edward and Kathryn Lowe of San Francisco
San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17th ...
and home-ported at Juneau, Alaska.
Naval service
''Polaris'' was purchased by theUnited States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
on 23 December 1940, converted for naval service by the Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Co. Inc., Winslow, Washington Winslow is the name of the downtown area of the city of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and is the original name of the city, named for shipbuilder Winslow Hall. It encompasses the area around the main street, Winslow Way, and is made up of approxima ...
. The yacht was renamed ''Amber'' on 10 January 1941 and simultaneously designated Coastal Patrol Yacht PYc-6, then placed in commission at Seattle
Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...
on 3 March 1941.
''Amber'' was assigned to the Inshore Patrol of the 13th Naval District and, from May until early August, operated around Seattle
Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...
, Tacoma, and Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is a city on the Quimper Peninsula in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The population was 10,148 at the 2020 United States Census.
It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson County. In addition t ...
. The patrol craft left Seattle on 6 August on a cruise to Alaska
Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S. ...
, and visited Ketchikan
Ketchikan ( ; tli, Kichx̱áan) is a city in and the borough seat of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough of Alaska. It is the state's southeasternmost major settlement. Downtown Ketchikan is a National Historic District.
With a population at the 20 ...
, Juneau
The City and Borough of Juneau, more commonly known simply as Juneau ( ; tli, Dzánti K'ihéeni ), is the capital city of the state of Alaska. Located in the Gastineau Channel and the Alaskan panhandle, it is a unified municipality and the s ...
, and Sitka
russian: Ситка
, native_name_lang = tli
, settlement_type = Consolidated city-borough
, image_skyline = File:Sitka 84 Elev 135.jpg
, image_caption = Downtown Sitka in 1984
, image_size ...
, before returning to Seattle early in September. In November, ''Amber'' was assigned to patrol duty at Astoria, Oregon, and patrolled the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Juan de Fuca (10 June 1536, Cefalonia 23 July 1602, Cefalonia)Greek Consulate of Vancouver,Greek Pioneers: Juan de Fuca. was a Greek pilot who served PhilipII of Spain. He is best known for his claim to have explored the Strait of Aniánnow k ...
off Neah Bay, Washington
Neah Bay is a census-designated place (CDP) on the Makah Reservation in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 865 at the 2010 census. It is across the Canada–US border from British Columbia. Originally called "Scarborou ...
, under the control of the Northwest Sea Frontier Patrol Group.
She was decommissioned on 18 October 1944 and her name was struck from the Navy list on 13 November 1944. ''Amber'' was sold back to her former owners on 13 June 1945.
Return to civilian life
Later in 1945 the yacht was sold to the Macco Construction Company of Clearwater, California and used as a freighter and for geological surveys, still as ''Amber''. In 1950 she was purchased by the Foss Launch and Tug Company of Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma ( ) is the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. A port city, it is situated along Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Pa ...
and restored there at their own shipyard as the company yacht, named for its founder Thea Foss
Thea Christiansen Foss (8 June 1857 – 7 June 1927) was the founder of Foss Launch and Tug Company, Foss Maritime, the largest tugboat company in the western United States. She was the real-life person on which the fictional character "Tugboat ...
. As of 2015, and now registered to Saltchuk Resources Inc, the parent company of Foss Maritime
Foss Maritime (formerly Foss Launch and Tug Company), is an American tugging company. The company was founded in 1889 by Thea Foss (1857–1927) and her husband Andrew Foss. The company is now the largest tug and towing concern on the west coast ...
of Seattle
Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...
, ''Thea Foss'' remains in service and has been used continually for the enjoyment of customers and other guests, including in 1975 King Olaf of Norway.
See also
*List of patrol vessels of the United States Navy
This is a list of patrol vessels of the United States Navy.
Patrol craft coastal (PC)
The original PC hull number sequence ended in 1964, and was then restarted with '1' for this class.
''Cyclone''-class
By hull number
*
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References
External links
Yacht" Infanta" owned by John Barrymore in Juneau 1931 and Whitehorse.
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Amber (Pyc-6) Patrol vessels of the United States Navy 1930 ships Motor yachts Barrymore family