Free Lance (Yacht)
1898-1918
The Navy retained the name, in both of its forms, of this vessel at the time of her acquisition(s).
(Yacht: length 137'; beam 20'8"; draft 7'6"; speed 14.0 knots; complement 18; armament 2 3-pounders)
Free Lance, a steam yacht, was built in 1895 by Lewis Nixon, Elizabethport, N.J.; loaned to the Navy in May 1898; and commissioned on 12 May 1898, Lt. G. C. Hannis in command.
Until 24 August 1898, when she was decommissioned, Free Lance patrolled off New York City. She was returned to her owner early in 1899.
From 1905 on, her name was spelled Freelance. She was leased from her owner on 19 July 1917 and recommissioned on 5 September 1917, Ens. J. B. Nevins, USNRF, in command. After more service patrolling in the New York area, Freelance was decommissioned on 24 December 1918, the day before Christmas, and returned to her owner the same day.
Updated, Robert J. Cressman
26 April 2024
