High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The first USS Viking was an iron-hulled, steam yacht built in 1883 at Chester, Pennsylvania, by John Roach Sons and was acquired by the United States Navy on 22 April 1898 from Mr. Horace A. Hutchins for service in the Spanish-American War. Converted for naval service at New York, she was placed in commission there on 11 May 1898, Lt. Henry Minett in command.