SOC Seagull which was later replaced with a Vought OS2U Kingfisher. The planes required being hoisted into and out of the water by means of a derrick when used. Accommodations s were designed and built as flagships and a floating diplomatic embassy. Some of the additions to help with these missions were a large admirals cabin located aft on the main deck behind the captain's cabin and two guests' cabins on the second deck. Eries also had large uncluttered fantails that could be covered with a canvas awning for hosting diplomatic envoys as could the aircraft deck. A large movie projector room was located in the aft superstructure and with a portable screen set up on the aft fantail and portable chairs set up on the afterdeck the crew or diplomats could watch movies. The ships boasted bands, made up of crew members, and they had Marine detachments for diplomatic duties. Service history Inter-war period Spanish Civil War and shakedown cruise Sailing from New York on 31 October 1936, Erie spent November and December 1936, on a shakedown cruise and in temporary duty with Squadron 40-T, protecting US interests and citizens during the Spanish Civil War. On 26 November, Eries Commander reported for formal duty with Squadron 40-T. On 5 December, Erie received orders to call on a number of ports along Spain's northern coast to check on US citizens and other foreign nationals with orders to evacuate them, if need be. Erie had three United States consular officials sailing with her, including the consul and vice consul of the US Consulate in Bilbao, and Walter C. Thurston, counselor for the United States embassy in Madrid. These men were tasked with authorizing travel documents of US citizens or any other nationals that were requesting evacuation from Spain. With this they converted Erie into a floating consulate, one of the duties for which the ship had been built. Erie dropped anchor in Bilbao, Spain, on 13 December, joining . While in Bilbao, Erie flew ensigns, illuminated at night, on both of her masts. Negotiations between British, Basque, and US government officials were also held while in port, that led to the release of $400,000 in certificated securities owned by a United States utility company. The 5,000 certificates, weighing , were conveyed to Erie for transport back to New York City. España incident Leaving Bilbao on 15 December, Erie set sail for