USS Raven III (SP-103), later USS SP-103, was an armed motorboat that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919.

History
United States
NameUSS Raven III
NamesakePrevious name retained
BuilderPurdy Boat Company, Miami, Florida
Completed1916
Acquired14 June 1917 (delivered 28 June 1917)
Commissioned5 October 1917
RenamedUSS SP-103 soon after commissioning
FateSank 12 September 1919; raised and later sold
General characteristics
TypePatrol vessel
Displacement6 tons
Length50 ft (15 m)
Beam9 ft (2.7 m)
Draft2 ft (0.61 m)
Speed27.7 knots
Complement6
Armament1 × 1-pounder gun

Raven III was built as a civilian motorboat in 1916 at by the Purdy Boat Company at Miami, Florida. The U.S. Navy purchased her from Purdy on 14 June 1917 for use as a patrol boat during World War I. Purdy delivered Raven III to the Navy on 28 June 1917, and she was commissioned on 5 October 1917 at Key West, Florida, as USS Raven III (SP-103).

Soon after commissioning, Raven III was renamed USS SP-103 and attached to Section 4 of the 7th Naval District's coast defense force as a patrol craft working with the training facility at Key West.

SP-103 sank accidentally on 12 September 1919. She was raised and later sold to Stewart McDonald of the Moon Motor Car Company of St. Louis, Missouri.

References

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