USS California (SP-249)

For other ships with the same name, see USS California.

USS Hauoli (SP-249) In port, circa 1918-1919. This patrol vessel served as USS California (SP-249) from December 1917 until February 1918, when she was renamed Hauoli
USS Hauoli (SP-249) In port, circa 1918-1919. This patrol vessel served as USS California (SP-249) from December 1917 until February 1918, when she was renamed Hauoli
History
United States
Name
  • Hauoli
  • California
  • USS California (24 December 1917)
  • USS Hauoli (18 February 1918)
  • California
Namesake
  • Hauoli is a Hawaiian word meaning "delight."
  • State of California
Owner
  • Francis Marion Smith
  • Clara B. Stocker
  • U.S. Navy
  • Denton Shore Lumber Co.
BuilderRobins Dry Dock & Repair Company, Brooklyn, New York
LaunchedSummer 1903
Completed1903
Acquired(Navy) 18 August 1917
Commissioned(Navy) 24 December 1917
Decommissioned(Navy) 8 October 1919
Renamed(Navy) USS Hauoli (SP-249) on 18 February 1918
Stricken(Navy) 16 September 1919
IdentificationON 96694, signal KSNM
FateSold on 7 September 1920; fate unknown
General characteristics
TypeYacht
Tonnage299 GRT
Displacement285 (Navy, 1918)
Length
  • 211 ft (64.3 m) LOA
  • 166 ft (50.6 m) waterline
Beam22 ft 2 in (6.8 m)
Draft8 ft 8 in (2.6 m)
Installed powersteam, 4 Almy water tube boilers
Propulsion4 cyl., triple expansion steam engine
Speed19 knots (22 mph; 35 km/h)
Endurance750 nautical miles (860 mi; 1,390 km)
Complement
  • As original yacht: 14
  • Navy: 60
Armament2 6-pounder guns, 2 machine guns

USS California (SP-249) was a yacht acquired by the United States Navy during World War I and outfitted as an armed section patrol vessel patrolling New York waterways. Later, renamed the original name of Hauoli, it was assigned to Thomas A. Edison conducting underwater listening experiments related to antisubmarine warfare.

The yacht was a second Hauoli built in 1903, replacing one of the same name built in 1902, for mining magnate Francis Marion "Borax" Smith. This second Hauoli was notable for speed, described as perhaps the fastest single screw yacht of its class in the world. In 1912 the yacht was sold to Clara Baldwin Stocker, an heiress residing in Los Angeles, who renamed the yacht California. She had to await the opening of the Panama Canal to bring the yacht to her residence. It was noted as the first pleasure vessel to transit the canal.[citation needed] The yacht was home ported in Los Angeles. At some point, either prior to or upon the Navy's acquisition, the yacht was brought back to New York. After naval service, the yacht was sold to a company in Tampa, Florida.