It is not clear as to whether Ellen was commissioned or served in a non-commissioned status; the date she began service also is unclear. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (at http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e3/ellen-ii.htm) states that she served in a non-commissioned status but provides no date for the beginning of her service, while NavSource Online (at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170284.htm) says that she was "placed in service" (implying non-commissioned service) on 10 May 1917. According to the Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images (at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/sp284.htm), Ellen was commissioned on 10 August 1917. It is possible that she entered service on 10 May 1917 in a non-commissioned status and then was commissioned on 10 August 1917.
Although another patrol vessel of the same name, USS Ellen (SP-1209), was in commission at the same time, the differing information available at NavSource Online (at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170284.htm) and the Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images (at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/sp284.htm) does not suggest that confusion between SP-284 and SP-1209 explains the confusion over SP-284's history and characteristics. It may be that a third, unreported USS Ellen existed at the time and has been confused with SP-284.
It is not clear as to whether Ellen was commissioned or served in a non-commissioned status; the date she began service also is unclear. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (at http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e3/ellen-ii.htm) states that she served in a non-commissioned status but provides no date for the beginning of her service, while NavSource Online (at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170284.htm) says that she was "placed in service" (implying non-commissioned service) on 10 May 1917. According to the Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images (at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/sp284.htm), Ellen was commissioned on 10 August 1917. It is possible that she entered service on 10 May 1917 in a non-commissioned status and then was commissioned on 10 August 1917.
Although another patrol vessel of the same name, USS Ellen (SP-1209), was in commission at the same time, the differing information available at NavSource Online (at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170284.htm) and the Naval History and Heritage Command Online Library of Selected Images (at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/sp284.htm) does not suggest that confusion between SP-284 and SP-1209 explains the confusion over SP-284's history and characteristics. It may be that a third, unreported USS Ellen existed at the time and has been confused with SP-284.
