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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
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African-Americans and the U.S. Navy -- 1890s

This page presents a broad selection of our 1890s images of the Navy's African-American sailors.

For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.

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.

The following pages feature African-American individuals who served in the 1890s Navy:
  • Robert Penn, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in containing a fireroom accident on the battleship Iowa during the Spanish-American War.
  • Sam Tines, a member of the USS Monongahela's crew in 1899.


The following pictures show African-Americans on board U.S. Navy ships during the 1890s:

Photo #: NH 52451

USS Charleston (C-2)


Men running an obstacle race, during Thanksgiving Day celebrations on board Charleston at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 1893.

Courtesy of Captain Henry F. Picking, 24 December 1893.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 625 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 56595

USS Brooklyn (CA-3)


"Next" -- Barber shop scene on board Brooklyn in 1898.
Note that this shop uses a portable barber's chair, set up in Brooklyn's windlass room.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 670 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 50183

USS Maine (1895-1898)


"Gunner's Gang", photographed in one of the ship's torpedo rooms.
Halftoned photograph, published in Uncle Sam's Navy, 1898.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 127KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 80782

USS Newark (C-1)


Two members of the cruiser's crew, 1898. Man on left is wearing a steward's uniform.

Copied from the collection of William D. Edwards, by courtesy of Robert W. Edwards, 1974.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 


For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.

Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

18 November 1998