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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:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Charleston (Cruiser # 2, C-2), 1889-1899

USS Charleston, a 3730-ton protected cruiser, was built at San Francisco, California. Commissioned in December 1889, her first three years' service were spent in the Pacific. An Atlantic tour followed, after which Charleston returned to the Pacific in mid-1894 and spent the remainder of her career there.

During the Spanish-American War, she convoyed troop transports to the Philippines, capturing the island of Guam while en route, and took part in final operations against Manila. While operating north of Luzon on 2 November 1899, USS Charleston was wrecked on an uncharted reef.

This page features views related to USS Charleston.

If higher resolution reproductions than these digital images are desired, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

Photo #: NH 61939

USS Charleston (C-2)


Off Hong Kong in 1898, wearing grey "war paint".

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 59,860 bytes; 740 x 535 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 55084

USS Charleston (C-2)


At Manila, Philippines, in 1898. She had convoyed the first U.S. troops to Manila in May-June of that year, capturing Guam while en route.

Collection of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN(MC).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 39,221 bytes; 590 x 590 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 353

USS Charleston (C-2)


Halftone photograph of Charleston at the entrance to the harbor of Agana, Guam, 20-21 June 1898, when she captured the island from the Spanish.

Collection of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN(MC), 1933.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 79,289 bytes; 740 x 545 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 42516

USS Monterey (BM-6)
(center)
and
USS Charleston (C-2) (right)

In Manila Bay, circa 1898-1899.

Courtesy of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 48,383 bytes; 740 x 560 pixels

 


The following photographs were taken on board USS Charleston:

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 52452

USS Charleston (C-2)


Three-legged race on board Charleston during Thanksgiving Day celebrations at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 1893.
Participants include British and German sailors. The onlookers appear to be of mixed nationalities, as well.

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

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 625 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 55562

USS Charleston (C-2)


Halftone photograph, from a contemporary publication, showing Brigadier General Thomas B. Anderson, U.S. Army, and his staff visiting the cruiser at Honolulu, 2 June 1898. Anderson was in command of the first expedition of troops sent to the Philippines, convoyed by Charleston from Honolulu to Manila. He was a son of Major General Robert Anderson, who had commanded Fort Sumter at the beginning of the Civil War.
Note breech of 6-inch gun and carved wooden entryway sideboard at left, and boat stowage overhead.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 78,940 bytes; 740 x 595 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 54146

USS Charleston (C-2)


Halftone photograph of a group of the ship's officers, taken in May-June 1898 while in passage from Honolulu to Guam.
Those present include:
Seated at right, left to right:
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) George R. Slocum
Assistant Engineer James B. Henry, jr.
Standing, left to right:
Ensign William A. Moffett
Assistant Engineer Charles L. Leiper
Paymaster James S. Phillips
Surgeon Henry T. Percy
Pay Clerk Phillips (or Middleton?)
Assistant Engineer Albert W. Marshall
Lieutenant Commander Gottfried Blocklinger
Passed Assistant Engineer Josiah S. McKean
Passed Assistant Surgeon Ammen Farenholt
Ensign Waldo Evans
Second Lieutenant John T. Myers, USMC

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 70,084 bytes; 740 x 625 pixels

 

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New photos added 17 November 1998