USCG Cutter Tampa-- Part 3: Seized An Austrian Ship

On April 6, 1917, after the United States entered World War I, the Tampa was transferred to from the Coast Guard to the Navy.

On the morning of April 9,  crew members of the Tampa and the Tallapoosa boarded the Austrian  steamer Borneo in Hillsboro Bay near Tampa and seized the ship and arrested the crew.  The Borneo was turned over to U.S. officials.

During the next four months, the Tampa received heavier armament by trading her three six pounders for two three-inch cannons, a pair of machine guns and depth charge throwers and racks.

--GreGen