From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol.IV- p282

Mayflower

A species of shrubs and trees of the arbutus genus with white or pink flowers and scarlet berries. A ship named Mayflower brought the first pilgrims to New England in 1620.

The third Mayflower, a lighthouse tender built in 1897, was transferred to the Navy after the U.S. entered World War I and commissioned 10 May 1917. She patrolled off the Atlantic coast during the war and was returned to the Lighthouse Service by Executive order 1 .July 19111.