The USS California (SP-249) was a ship that served in the United States Navy during World War I. Originally built as a civilian yacht named the California, it was acquired by the Navy in 1917 for use as a patrol vessel. The ship was armed with guns and depth charges for anti-submarine warfare operations. During its service in the war, the USS California operated along the East Coast of the United States and in the Caribbean Sea, conducting patrols and escort missions. After the war, the ship was decommissioned and sold back to its original owner, returning to civilian use as a yacht. The USS California's brief but important service during World War I highlights the adaptability of vessels during times of conflict, as civilian ships were often repurposed for military use to meet the demands of wartime operations.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.