USS Bab

USS Bab (SP-116) hauled out of the water during World War I.
History
United States
Name	USS Bab
Namesake	name given to the boat by her owner prior to her acquisition by the Navy
Owner	Milton Wilson of Chicago, Illinois
Laid down	date unknown
Launched	date unknown
Completed	in 1916 at South Boston, Massachusetts
Acquired	leased by the Navy on 6 October 1917
In service	October 1917
Out of service	December 1918
Stricken	circa December 1918
Homeport	Chicago, Illinois
Fate	Returned to her owner for the sum of $1.00 on 31 December 1918
General characteristics
Type	Motorboat
Tonnage	7 gross tons
Length	38' 0"
Beam	8' 1"
Draft	2' 4"
Propulsion	Internal combustion engine
Speed	36 miles per hour
Complement	not known
Armament	Two machine guns

USS Bab (SP-116) was high-speed motorboat leased for one dollar by the U.S. Navy during World War I. She was placed in service as a patrol craft and was assigned to the vicinity of Chicago, Illinois. Post-war she was returned to her owner for the sum of one dollar.

Built in South Boston

Bab was a 38-foot section motorboat of the high-speed "sea sled" design built in 1917 at Boston, Massachusetts, by Murray and Tregurtha Company. She was leased by the Navy for $1.00 from Milton Wilson of Chicago, Illinois; and designated as a section patrol craft, SP-116; and delivered on 6 October 1917.

World War I service

Assigned to the 9th Naval District, Bab patrolled the waters of Lake Michigan until the onset of winter caused her to be laid up.

Post-war disposition

Eventually judged "not suitable for naval use", Bab was returned to her owner for the sum of $1.00 on 31 December 1918.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• USS Bab (SP-116), 1917-1918