USS Zircon WW2 armed yacht

[RCS]

Private yacht Nakhoda built in 1929 was acquired by the United States Navy in Dec 1940 from automotive body manufacture F.J. Fisher of Detriot

Renamed the USS Zircon and outfitted for naval service and commissioned in March 1941 as a armed yacht. The USS Zircon was used through out WW2 on the east coast from Cuba to Newfoundland. Armed with two three inch naval guns and two 30 cal machine guns.

Sold off after WW2Attachment 85440Attachment 85439

Information

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[Flying10uk]

Perhaps it was wanted because of it's shallow draught, being relatively small, and so could navigate close to the shore as well as inland waterways, useful for a patrol vessel.

[bigduke6]

Interesting considering the build date, I bet some of the accommodation still retained some of its (private yacht status), wonder how long it survived after WW2.

[CINDERS]

A snippet from Wiki ~ In September 1946, Zircon received orders to report to the Commandant, 6th Naval District at Charleston, South Carolina, to prepare for decommissioning and disposal. On 10 May 1946, she was decommissioned at Charleston. Her name was struck from the Navy List on 5 June 1946, and she was turned over to the Maritime Commission for disposal on 17 October 1946. She was sold by the War Shipping Administration on 24 April 1947.

[jonnyc]

To...???

[Flying10uk]

To...???

Perhaps this information is not available?

[CINDERS]

I had a good search and could not turn up to much on her apart from the munitions boat on 10 May 1944, perhaps #5 may have better luck.......................................

[RCS]

Wonder if the SS Nakhoda (before becoming the USS Zircon) moved any Canadian Club whisky across the Great Lakes during prohibition days ?

[Flying10uk]

I believe that I am correct in stating that Sir Malcolm Campbell (of speed king fame) had his private yacht "borrowed" by the Royal Navy for the duration of WW2 and it was returned to him at the end of the war.

[Paul S.]

Wonder if the SS Nakhoda (before becoming the USS Zircon) moved any Canadian Club whisky across the Great Lakes during prohibition days ?

I don't know about that, but I've been told that there are a number of car and truck loads on the bottom of the St. Lawrence, having gone through the ice in winter during Prohibition, in the Thousand Islands area.