From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Canandaigua

A city and lake in New York State.


(CM: dp. 7,620; l. 379'9"; b. 48'3"; dr. 22'6"; s. 16 k.; cpl. 368; a. 1 5", 2 3")

The second Canandaigua (No. 1694), a minelayer was built in 1901 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, Va., as El Siglo; transferred from the Shipping Board 23 November 1917; fitted out as a minelayer by Morse Dry Dock and Repair Co., Brooklyn, N.Y.; and commissioned 2 March 1918 Commander W. H Reynolds in command.

Assigned to Mine Squadron 1, Mine Force, Canandaigua sailed from Newport, R.I., 12 May 1918 and arrived at Inverness Firth, Scotland, 2 weeks later. Participating in the laying of the gigantic North Sea Mine Barrage, she made 13 runs from Inverness, handling her hazardous duty with the precision and care required for a successful mine plant

Following the signing of the Armistice, Canandaigua sailed for conversion to a troop transport at Boston Navy Yard, and on 11 March 1919 was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force. Between 8 April and 26 August, she made four voyages to France, returning some 4,800 servicemen. Canandaigua was decommissioned at New York 22 September 1919 and returned to the Shipping Board the same day.