USS Ionita (SP-388)

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 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, with William W. Ford, USNRF, in command.

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.