- References
{{distinguish|USS Elfin (SP-965)}}{{Infobox ship image| Ship image=USS Elf (SP-81).jpg | Ship caption=Elf (SP-81) as a civilian motorboat on a winter day in early 1917, just after her completion and prior to her U.S. Navy service
}}{{Infobox ship career | Hide header= | Ship country=United States | 1917}} | Ship name=USS Elf | Ship namesake=Previous name retained | Ship owner= | Ship operator= | Ship registry= | Ship route= | Ship ordered= | Ship awarded= | Ship builder=Stanley Vansant | Ship original cost= | Ship yard number= | Ship way number= | Ship laid down= | Ship launched= | Ship sponsor= | Ship christened= | Ship completed=1917 | Ship acquired=May 1917 | Ship commissioned=3 May 1917 | Ship recommissioned= | Ship decommissioned=9 January 1919 | Ship maiden voyage= | Ship in service= | Ship out of service= | Ship renamed= | Ship reclassified= | Ship refit= | Ship struck= | Ship reinstated= | Ship homeport= | Ship identification= | Ship motto= | Ship nickname= | Ship honours= | Ship honors= | Ship captured= | Ship fate=Returned to owner 10 January 1919 | Ship status= | Ship notes=Operated as private motorboat Elf 1917 and from 1919 | Ship badge=
}}{{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header= | Header caption= | Ship class= | Ship type=Patrol vessel | Ship tonnage= | Ship displacement= | Ship tons burthen= | 53|ft|m|abbr=on}} | 12|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship height= | Ship draught= | 3|ft|m|abbr=on}} mean | Ship depth= | Ship hold depth= | Ship decks= | Ship deck clearance= | Ship ramps= | Ship ice class= | Ship power= | Ship propulsion= | Ship sail plan= | Ship speed=22 knots | Ship range= | Ship endurance= | Ship test depth= | Ship boats= | Ship capacity= | Ship troops= | Ship complement=8 | Ship crew= | Ship time to activate= | Ship sensors= | Ship EW= | Ship armament=1 × 1-pounder gun | Ship armour= | Ship armor= | Ship aircraft= | Ship aircraft facilities= | Ship notes=
}} | USS Elf (SP-81) was an armed motorboat that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919. Elf was a civilian motorboat completed in early 1917 by Stanley Vansant. In early May 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her under a free lease from her owner, Louis H. Eisenlohr of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for World War I service as a patrol boat. She was commissioned as USS Elf (SP-81) on 3 May 1917 with Lieutenant, junior grade, H. J. Bowes in command. Elf performed patrol duty in the 4th Naval District until July 1918, when she was transferred to the 7th Naval District. Elf was decommissioned on 9 January 1919 and returned to her owner on 10 January 1919. References- {{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e2/elf.htm}}
- Department of the Navy: Naval Historical Center: Online Library of Selected Images: Civilian Ships: Elf (American Motor Boat, 1917). Served as USS Elf (SP-81) in 1917-1919
- NavSource Online: Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive: Elf (SP 81)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elf (Sp-81)}} 3 : Patrol vessels of the United States Navy|World War I patrol vessels of the United States|1917 ships |