Swan (Motorboat) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
United States
Name	Swan
Namesake	Previous name retained
Acquired	17 August 1917
Commissioned	Never
Stricken	April 1918
Fate	Sold in 1920 for $190
Notes	Never placed in U.S. Navy service
General characteristics
Type	Patrol vessel (proposed)
Length	41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
Beam	8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
Draft	2 ft 6 in (0.76 m) (mean)
Speed	10 miles per hour (8.7 kn)

The Swan was a motorboat used by the Conservation Commission of Maryland. This commission helps protect natural resources, like fish and wildlife, in the state of Maryland.

Swan and World War I

During World War I, the United States Navy needed more boats to help patrol the coast. They asked the Conservation Commission of Maryland if they could use their boats. The Navy wanted these boats to help keep an eye on the local waters.

State and Federal Partnership

The state government agreed to let the Navy use the boats and the people who operated them. This meant that the state's boats and crew would become part of the U.S. Naval Reserve. They would continue to patrol their usual areas for fishing rules. However, they would also help with federal interests. A big benefit was that the federal government would pay for the patrol time. This meant the boats could be out on the water more often.

Joining the Navy (Briefly)

The U.S. Navy officially took control of the Swan on August 17, 1917. The plan was for it to help with "section patrol" duty. This means it would patrol a specific area in the 5th Naval District, which covered parts of the East Coast.

However, the Swan was never officially "commissioned." This means it was never fully put into active service with the Navy. It was removed from the Navy's list of ships in April 1918. After that, it was given back to the Conservation Commission.

After Naval Service

In 1920, the Swan was sold for $190. The money from the sale went into the Conservation Commission's account. This account was used to buy and fix equipment for the commission.