USS Winchester (SP-156) - Construction, Acquisition, and Commissioning

Construction, Acquisition, and Commissioning

SS Winchester was built as a fast, steel-hulled, steam-powered, destroyer-like civilian yacht in 1916 by Bath Iron Works at Bath, Maine. The U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, Mr. Peter W. Rouss, on 30 May 1917 for use as a patrol vessel during World War I. She was commissioned on 4 September 1917 as USS Winchester (SP-156) with Lieutenant, junior grade, R. C. Nickerson, USNRF, in command.