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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
USS Governor Russell (1898-1899)
Governor Russell, a 485-ton ferry boat built in 1898
at East Boston, Massachusetts, was purchased by the Navy in May
1898 and converted into a shallow-draft auxiliary gunboat. She
was commissioned in June 1898 as Governor Russell. While
en route to the Cuban war zone in July 1898, she encountered a
heavy storm and required extensive repairs. A second storm in
September proved that she was unfit for the open sea and Governor
Russell was decommissioned late in that month. She was stricken
from the Navy List in July 1899.
This page features our only views of USS Governor Russell.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 53760
USS Governor Russell (1898-99)
Photographed in 1898.
This Boston ferryboat was converted to a gunboat during the Spanish-American
war. Damaged by a severe storm off the U.S. east coast in July
1898, she saw no service in the combat zone.
Note 5"/40 gun on her low forecastle deck.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 550 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 53761
USS Governor Russell (1898-99)
Taking green water over her bow during a storm off the U.S. Atlantic
Coast, circa July-September 1898.
Note canvas protective wrapping around the 5"/40 gun mounted
on this converted ferryboat's low forecastle, and furled awning
overhead.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 51301
USS Lehigh (1863-1904)
Photographed while she was in commission for Spanish-American
War service, probably at the Boston Navy Yard in June or July
1898.
Ship on the opposite side of the pier is USS Governor Russell.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 575 pixels |
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Page made 24 September 1998
New image added 21 October 2001