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Photo # NH 82102:  View on board USS Memphis while she was being stripped of supplies and equipment, shortly after she was wrecked

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The 1910s -- 1916

Loss of USS Memphis, 29 August 1916 --
Salvage Efforts on the Ship's Wreck

Within a day after USS Memphis was driven ashore, it was apparent that she would not be worth saving. Though nearly normal in appearance above the water, her bottom was driven in, her hull structure was badly distorted and her 23,000 horsepower steam powerplant was in ruins. In addition, she was an outdated type of warship, prematurely rendered obsolete by the early Twentieth Century's rapid technological and tactical advances.

Accordingly, the Navy Department decided to remove her guns, supplies and such of her equipment as could be put to use on other ships. This work was given to the crew of battleship New Hampshire. Once it was completed, Memphis was left where she lay, in about half as much water as her normal draft. Close examination revealed her stripped condition, with guns removed, turrets turned off the center line, and much topside gear gone. Her bell was presented to a local church, a token of appreciation for the work performed by Dominican citizens in rescuing her crew.

Despite its battered condition and exposed location, her hulk resisted the forces of nature and remained essentially intact. Though sold in January 1922, she proved too tough for scrappers during th next decade and a half. Not until 1938 was Memphis finally dismantled, returning the Santo Domingo shoreline to its natural state.

This page features all the views we have concerning salvage activities on USS Memphis' wreck.

For other views related to the loss of USS Memphis, see:

  • Loss of USS Memphis, 29 August 1916.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 82102

    USS Memphis
    (Armored Cruiser # 10)

    View on the ship's foredeck, looking aft. Photographed while she was being stripped of supplies and equipment, shortly after being wrecked at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on 29 August 1916.
    Note anchor chains, forward ten-inch gun turret, windsails and ship's bell.

    Collection of LCdr. Abraham DeSomer, donated by Lieutenant Colonel R.H. DeSomer, USAF, 1975.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 480 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82119

    USS Memphis
    (Armored Cruiser # 10)

    Diver going down during salvage operations, shortly after she was wrecked at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on 29 August 1916.

    Collection of LCdr. Abraham DeSomer, donated by Myles DeSomer, 1975.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99954

    USS Memphis
    (Armored Cruiser # 10)

    Wrecked at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she was driven ashore by tidal waves on 29 August 1916.
    This photograph was taken during the early stages of salvage operations, as Sailors were working to remove the ship's guns, equipment and supplies. Note the walkway from shore to ship in the center of the view.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Abraham DeSomer, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99956

    USS Memphis
    (Armored Cruiser # 10)

    Wrecked at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she was driven ashore by tidal waves on 29 August 1916. This photograph was taken shortly afterwards, as the ship's guns, equipment and supplies were being removed.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Abraham DeSomer, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46218

    USS Memphis
    (Armored Cruiser # 10)

    Halftone reproduction of a photograph from a contemporary publication, showing the ship wrecked at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she was thrown ashore by tidal waves on the afternoon of 29 August 1916.
    This photograph was some days after the incident, while initial salvage operations were underway.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99957

    USS Memphis
    (Armored Cruiser # 10)

    Seen from astern at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she was wrecked by tidal waves on 29 August 1916. This photograph was taken shortly afterwards, as the ship's guns, equipment and supplies were being removed.
    Note the tips of Memphis' propeller blades above the water surface, and U.S. Ensign flying from her stern.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Abraham DeSomer, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 450 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99955

    USS Memphis
    (Armored Cruiser # 10)

    Wrecked at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she was driven ashore by tidal waves on 29 August 1916. This photograph was taken shortly afterwards, as the ship's guns, equipment and supplies were being removed.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Abraham DeSomer, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 465 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99953

    USS Memphis
    (Armored Cruiser # 10)

    Postal card, printed on textured photographic paper, featuring four views of the ship wrecked at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she was driven ashore by tidal waves on 29 August 1916. The views were taken a day or more afterwards.
    The message written the back of the card, dated 15 September 1916, reads "This is what I am working on at present salvaging her ammunition of which there is about 300 tons. Your Hubby, Brom".

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Abraham DeSomer, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 108KB; 740 x 525 pixels

     

    For other views related to the loss of USS Memphis, see:

  • Loss of USS Memphis, 29 August 1916.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 10 January 2005