USS Gypsum Queen (SP-430)
| Career (USA) |   |
|---|---|
| Name: | USS Gypsum Queen |
| Namesake: | A former name retained |
| Owner: | J. B. King Transportation Co. of New York City |
| Builder: | Dialogue & Company, Camden, New Jersey |
| Laid down: | date unknown |
| Completed: | 1890 |
| Acquired: | by the Navy, September 1917 |
| Commissioned: | 4 December 1917 at New York City |
| Decommissioned: | sunk on 28 April 1919 |
| Struck: | 1919 (est.) |
| Fate: | sunk after striking a rock near Armen Light House off Brest, France, 28 April 1919 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Tugboat |
| Displacement: | 361 long tons (367 t) |
| Length: | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Beam: | 27 ft (8.2 m) |
| Draft: | 14 ft 5 in (4.39 m) |
| Speed: | 14 kn (16 mph; 26 km/h) |
| Armament: | 1 × 3 in (76 mm) gun, 2 × .30 in (7.6 mm) machine guns |
USS Gypsum Queen (SP-430) was a tugboat acquired by the United States Navy during World War I. She was assigned to the French coast as a minesweeper, as well as a tugboat to provide assistance to disabled Allied ships. Performing this dangerous work, Gypsum Queen struck a rock near Brest, France, and sunk, sending 15 crew members to their deaths.
Constructed in New Jersey
Gypsum Queen — a sea-going tug — was built by Dialogue & Company, Camden, New Jersey in 1890, acquired from her owners, J. B. King Transportation Co. of New York City in September 1917; and commissioned on 4 December 1917 at New York City.
World War I service
Turned over to the 3d Naval District, Gypsum Queen was fitted out for overseas service at New York Navy Yard and subsequently served in French ports as a towing vessel and a minesweeper.
Gypsum Queen sunk at sea
While returning from rendering assistance to minesweepers foundering off the coast of France, Gypsum Queen struck a rock near Armen Light House off Brest on 28 April 1919 and sank with a loss of 2 officers and 13 men.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.