USS Aquamarine

The USS Aquamarine is a steel patrol vessel with teak decks, divided into seven watertight compartments for structural safety. The ship sits at Evans Island in Monroe Bay and has undergone thorough restoration to meet current maritime safety standards.

The ship was built in 1926 as the Siele by Pusey and Jones Corporation and served the Naval Research Laboratory during World War II for sound research. It later operated as a support vessel for the presidential yachts Potomac and Williamsburg.

The vessel displays how military ships were built and equipped in the early 1900s, making the technical choices of that era visible to visitors. You can observe how warfare vessels functioned then and what made them different from modern boats.

Keep in mind that the ship sits on an island in a bay, which may affect its accessibility depending on water conditions. It is wise to check conditions before your visit and wear appropriate footwear for walking on metal decks.

The vessel was equipped for special research using bubble cloud generation to study underwater sound propagation. This technique was unusual for its time and shows an early form of naval research that went beyond simple patrol duties.

Location: Irvington

GPS coordinates: 37.66330,-76.43360

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:42