USS Ionita
# USS Ionita

USS Ionita (SP-388) was a yacht acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I. Ionita was outfitted by the Navy as a patrol craft and reported to the Commander, 9th Naval District, headquartered at Lake Bluff, Illinois. Ionita patrolled the Detroit River and was struck by the Navy at war’s end.

## Built in Detroit, Michigan

Ionita (SP-388), a 55-foot-long motor yacht, was built by Church Boat Works, Trenton, Michigan, in 1914 for use as a pleasure craft on the Great Lakes. She was acquired by the Navy from her owner, R. A. Newman of Detroit, Michigan, 16 August 1917; and commissioned as USS Ionita (SP-388) 23 September 1917.

## World War I service

Ionita was assigned to the 9th Naval District as a section patrol craft and spent the war on patrol in the Detroit River.

## Post-war service

After the World War I Armistice, she was transferred to the Naval Training Camp, Detroit, Michigan.

## Decommissioning

Ionita was later decommissioned by the Navy and was sold to William Thewes, Cleveland, Ohio, on 20 November 1919.

