USS Ashley (IX-83) was an auxiliary schooner

Schooner

A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....

 of the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

.

Built by T. Berlin Albury as Winslow during 1937 at Harbor Island in the Bahamas, the ship was acquired by the Navy from the Adavondach School, Inc., of Florida, on 29 July 1942; renamed Ashley on 4 September 1942 and designated IX-83 that same day; and placed in service on 11 September 1942 at the section base at Port Everglades

Port Everglades

Port Everglades is a port in Broward County, Florida. As one of South Florida's leading economic powerhouses, Port Everglades is the gateway for international trade and cruise vacations. Already one of the three busiest cruise ports worldwide, Port Everglades is also one of Florida's leading...

, Florida.

Service history

The purpose for which Ashley was acquired and placed in service remains unclear. It is possible that she was to have been used in either the Inshore Patrol or the Coastal Picket Patrol, but nothing definitive is known. She spent her entire, brief Navy career assigned to the 7th Naval District, probably operating from Port Everglades. On 24 March 1943, she was selected for lay up by the Commandant, 7th Naval District. The date of her being placed out of service has not been found, but her name was struck from the Navy List

Naval Vessel Register

The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...

on 16 November 1943. On 22 January 1944, she was loaned to the Merritt-Chapman & Scott Corp. for operation in some unspecified service by a civilian crew. Her ultimate disposition also remains a mystery.