The USS Crystal was a United States Navy patrol vessel that served during World War I. Originally built in 1898 as a civilian yacht, the ship was acquired by the Navy in 1917 and commissioned as USS Crystal. During the war, the vessel was used for patrol duties along the eastern coast of the United States, primarily engaged in anti-submarine operations. The USS Crystal was armed with depth charges and machine guns to defend against enemy submarines. After the war, the ship was decommissioned in 1919 and sold to private owners. It was eventually scrapped in the 1930s. The USS Crystal represents the Navy's utilization of civilian vessels for military purposes during wartime, showcasing the adaptability and resourcefulness of naval forces in times of conflict.

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