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Photo # NH 61241:  USS Mississippi underway, circa 1909

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Mississippi (Battleship # 23), 1908-1914

USS Mississippi, first of a class of two 13,000-ton battleships, was built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was commissioned in February 1908 and spent her first few years of service operating along the U.S. east coast and in the Caribbean area. In addition, in May 1909, the battleship cruised up the Mississippi River to demonstrate contemporary naval technology to the citizens of the south-central United States.

In late 1910, Mississippi steamed across the Atlantic to call on ports in Great Britain and France. She thereafter returned to her normal operating areas in the western Atlantic. In June 1912, she landed U.S. Marines in Cuba to protect U.S. interests. In reserve from mid-1912 until the end of 1913, Mississippi then carried men and equipment to Pensacola, Florida, where she supported the conversion of the old Naval facility there into a naval air station. In April and May 1914, she transported seaplanes and aviators to Vera Cruz, Mexico, and acted as their tender during the Navy's first combat aviation deployment. After further duty at Pensacola, Mississippi was sold to Greece in July 1914. Renamed Kilkis, she served in the Greek Navy until 23 April 1941, when she was sunk by German dive bombers at Salamis.

This page features selected views of USS Mississippi (Battleship # 23).

For views of this ship during her time in the Greek Navy, see:

  • Kilkis (Greek Battleship, 1914-1941).

    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

    Photo #: 19-N-14910

    USS Mississippi
    (Battleship # 23)

    "Cleared for action" in 1908, soon after she was completed.

    Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 46041

    USS Mississippi (Battleship # 23)


    Dressed with flags, off Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during Founders' Week, 1908.
    Note motor launch off the starboard quarter, with Mississippi's name painted on its stern, and the ship's name in large letters atop the after superstructure.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 137KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 61241

    USS Mississippi (Battleship # 23)


    Underway, circa 1909, soon after she received a "cage" mainmast. Note that she is still fitted with a bow decoration.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101498

    USS Mississippi (Battleship # 23)


    Photographed by Brown & Shaffer, 1909.

    Collection of Chief Quartermaster John Harold.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 440 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77099

    USS Mississippi (Battleship # 23)


    Photographed by J.W. Dawson, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1910, shortly after she was fitted with a a "cage" foremast.

    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1972

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 475 pixels

     
    Photo #: 19-N-13607

    USS Mississippi
    (Battleship # 23)

    Photographed on 3 October 1911, probably off New York City.

    Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 44KB; 740 x 535 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 19-N-60-10-14

    USS Mississippi
    (Battleship # 23)

    View on the foredeck, looking aft, with the forward 12"/45 gun turret trained to starboard, 1908.
    Note: anchor chain and capstans; hatches; bridge structure with ship's bell attached below its forward end.
    Photographed by Enrique Muller.

    Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 46043

    USS Mississippi (Battleship # 23)


    View looking forward from the ship's port bridge wing, 1908.
    Note the 12"/45 gun turret with grating hatches open; also winch and capstans, with decorated tops on the latter.
    An old fortification is in the left distance.
    Photographed by Enrique Muller.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 111KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: 19-N-60-10-12

    USS Mississippi
    (Battleship # 23)

    View on the afterdeck, looking forward, 1908.
    Note: 12"/45 gun turret; after bridges with stump mainmast, searchlights and 3-pounder guns; winches, hatches and hose reel on the main deck.
    Photographed by Enrique Muller.

    Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-461428

    USS Mississippi (Battleship # 23)


    View on the ship's afterdeck, while she was carrying the Navy's first combat air group to Vera Cruz, Mexico, in April 1914.
    Planes visible include a Curtiss "AB" type flying boat (on deck at left), and a Curtiss "AH" type floatplane (atop the after 12"/45 gun turret).
    Note boom rigged to the battleship's superstructure, at left, for hoisting the planes on and off the ship.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 100KB; 740 x 460 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 19-N-8-18-14

    USS Mississippi
    (Battleship # 23)

    Fitting out at the Cramp shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1907.
    Note: Ship's name on stern; hull primed for painting; after 12"/45 gun turret with roof not yet installed.

    Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     

    For views of Idaho during her time in the Greek Navy, see:

  • Kilkis (Greek Battleship, 1914-1941).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 27 March 2001