From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

Former name retained.

(ScStr: l. 156'7"; b. 27'; s. 9 k.; cpl. 45; a. 6 1-pdr.) Fish Hawk, a screw steamer, was built by Pusey and Jones Co., Wilmington, Del., in 1879, for the Bureau of Fisheries; acquired by the Navy on 4 May 1898, and commissioned the same day, Lieutenant F. Swift, in command.

Fish Hawk operated with the North Atlantic Fleet on blockade duty off Havana and in miscellaneous duties until 15 September 1898 when she was decommissioned and returned to the Fish Commission.

With the United States entry into World War I, Fish Hawk, Chief Boatswain, J. Mahoney in command, performed patrol and inspection duty in the Norfolk area for the Navy under an informal agreement. Fish Hawk was officially taken over by the Navy on loan in July 1918. She was assigned to duty at New London, Conn., where she assisted with the development of sonic submarine detection devices. She was returned to the Bureau of Fisheries on 1 July 1919.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.com)