When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Scarce World War I-era photograph of USS Tarantula (SP-124), theformer motor yacht of William Kissam Vanderbilt II that served withthe United States Navy during World War I.
The identification is established by the clearly visible “S.P. 124”painted on the vessel\'s bow. U.S. Navy records identify SP-124 asUSS Tarantula.
Tarantula was a 128-foot motor yacht built in 1912 by George Lawley& Son of Neponset, Massachusetts. The U.S. Navy acquired the yachtfrom William K. Vanderbilt in April 1917 and commissioned her forSection Patrol service in the 3rd Naval District.
William Kissam Vanderbilt II himself served as the vessel\'s commandingofficer as a Lieutenant (Junior Grade), U.S. Naval Reserve Force.
USS Tarantula operated in coastal waters around Connecticut, New Yorkand New Jersey during World War I.
Her Navy career was remarkably short. On October 28, 1918, Tarantulasank following a collision with the Dutch steamship Frisia near theFire Island light vessel.
This photograph shows Tarantula in U.S. Navy service configuration.The SP-124 hull designation is prominently visible and uniformed Navypersonnel can be seen aboard.
The reverse is blank and retains four old gummed mounting tabs,apparently from previous album mounting.
A particularly interesting identified WWI U.S. Navy photograph withconnections to the Vanderbilt family, early naval aviation/yachtingera, New York maritime history and the U.S. Navy Section Patrol.
Sold exactly as photographed.
