USS Gypsy (SP-55)

Among boats photographed on 16 May 1917 after their acquisition by the U.S. Navy is Gypsy, second from left. The boat on the far left is unidentified. The rest, left to right, are USS Doris B. IV (SP-625), USS Venture (SP-616), and USS Comber (SP 344).
History
United States
Name:	USS Gypsy (planned)
Namesake:	Previous name retained
Builder:	George Lawley and Sons, Neponset, Massachusetts
Completed:	1912
Acquired:	11 May 1917
Commissioned:	Never
Struck:	23 November 1917
Fate:	Burned while fitting out 20 June 1917
Notes:	Operated as private motorboat Gypsy 1912-1917
General characteristics
Type:	Patrol vessel (planned)
Displacement:	22 tons
Length:	61 ft (19 m)
Beam:	10 ft 3 in (3.12 m)
Draft:	3 ft 6 in (1.07 m)
Speed:	11 knots

USS Gypsy (SP-55) was the planned designation for a motorboat the United States Navy acquired in 1917 for use as a patrol vessel but which was destroyed by a fire before she could be commissioned.

Gypsy was built in 1912 by George Lawley and Sons at Neponset, Massachusetts, as a private motorboat of the same name. The U.S. Navy acquired her on 11 May 1917 for World War I service, intending to use her as a patrol boat in the Section Patrol. However, she was completely destroyed by an accidental fire on 20 June 1917 off Stony Beach, Allerton Beacon, Boston, Massachusetts, while fitting out, before she could be commissioned.

Gypsy was stricken from the Navy List on 23 November 1919.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive: Gypsy (SP 55)