USS Empress

History
United States
Name	USS Empress
Namesake	Previous name retained
Completed	1912
Acquired	17 October 1917
Fate	Foundered 4 November 1917
Notes	Operated as commercial barge 1910-1917
General characteristics
Type	Passenger barge
Length	147 ft 5 in (44.93 m)
Propulsion	None
Capacity	1,200 passengers

USS Empress (SP-569) was a United States Navy passenger barge in commission during 1917.

Empress was built as a commercial barge in 1912. On 17 October 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her for use as a passenger barge during World War I. Assigned the section patrol number 569, she entered service as USS Empress (SP-569).

Empress was under tow from New York City to Newport, Rhode Island, when her seams opened and she sank on 4 November 1917.

References

• SP-569 Empress at Department of the Navy Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images: U.S. Navy Ships -- Listed by Hull Number: "SP" #s and "ID" #s -- World War I Era Patrol Vessels and other Acquired Ships and Craft numbered from SP-500 through SP-599
• NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive: Empress (SP 569)