|  USS Bab (SP-116) hauled out of the water during World War I. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| .svg.png.webp) 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