USS Zoraya (SP-235) was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy from 1917 to 1919.

Steam yacht Zoraya sometime between 1901 and 1917
History
United States
NameUSS Zoraya
NamesakePrevious name retained
OwnerAtala W. Thayer
Port of registryPort Jefferson, New York
BuilderJ. M. Bayles and Sons, Port Jefferson, New York
Completed1901
Acquired16 August 1917
Commissioned17 December 1917
FateReturned to owner 8 February 1919
General characteristics
Typearmed yacht
Tonnage129 GRT, 88 NRT
Length
  • 135 ft 0 in (41.15 m) overall
  • 113.4 ft (34.6 m) registered
Beam18.0 ft (5.5 m)
Draft7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) mean
Depth10.8 ft (3.3 m)
Installed power17 NHP
Propulsion
Speed12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement33
Armament2 × 3-pounder guns

Zoraya was a wooden-hulled steam yacht constructed in 1901 by J. M. Bayles and Sons at Port Jefferson, New York, for Ms. Atala W. Thayer. The U.S. Navy acquired her from a later owner, Mr. William Biel, for World War I service with the section patrol on 16 August 1917. She was armed, designated SP-235, and commissioned at New York City on 17 December 1917.

For the duration of the war, USS Zoraya served under the command of the Commandant, 3rd Naval District, and patrolled the coasts of New York and New Jersey.

The Navy returned Zoraya to her owners on 8 February 1919, some three months after the end of hostilities.

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