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Photo # NH 46164:  View on board the wreck of USS Milwaukee, April 1919

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

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21), 1906-1917 --
Later Views of the Ship's Wreck

After the stranded USS Milwaukee's crew's dramatic rescue, she formally remained in commission until early March 1917. During this time the wreck was the object of regular visits as Naval personnel removed records and some of her equipment and supplies. Commercial salvors conducted further work, and they built a pier from Samoa Beach to the ship, facilitating recovery of her guns and other heavy items. Regularly battered by storms, the wreck cracked in two in November 1918, marking the beginning of its gradual decomposition. Though sold in August 1919, Milwaukee's hulk was only slowly broken up by human effort and the forces of nature. Even in the early 1980s enough remained of her to permit recovery of some relics for display in a museum at nearby Eureka, California.

This page features all the post-January 1917 views we have concerning the wreck of USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21).

For other images concerning the stranding of this ship, see:

  • Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917.

    For views of and on board this ship prior to her loss, see:

  • USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21), 1906-1917.


    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 #: NH 46161

    USS Milwaukee
    (Cruiser # 21)

    Waves breaking over the wrecked cruiser's boat deck on 29 April 1919, more than two years after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.
    This view looks aft along the ship's starboard (seaward) side.
    Note the collapsed deck by the ventilator cowls, where the ship's hull had split apart.

    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 136KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46162

    USS Milwaukee
    (Cruiser # 21)

    Waves breaking over the wrecked cruiser's forecastle on 29 April 1919, more than two years after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.
    This view looks forward from the ship's bridge.
    Note marine growth on her wooden main deck, and foundation for her forward 6"/50 gun (in the lower right center). The gun had been removed during salvage operations.

    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 163KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46163

    USS Milwaukee
    (Cruiser # 21)

    Split in the the wrecked cruiser's hull and superstructure, just aft of amidships. Taken on 29 April 1919, more than two years after Milwaukee went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.
    Note separation of armor plates, rivet holes in structural plating, and port for a 3"/50 gun.

    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 87KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46164

    USS Milwaukee
    (Cruiser # 21)

    Looking aft from the wrecked cruiser's starboard bridge on 29 April 1919, more than two years after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.
    This view shows conditions on Milwaukee's boat deck, and the pier used by salvagers to remove guns and equipment from the ship. Note cowl ventilators, coal scuttles on the deck, empty gun positions, and the separation in the deck just aft of amidships where the ship's hull had broken.

    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 139KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46165

    USS Milwaukee
    (Cruiser # 21)

    After portion of the cruiser's wreck, taken on 29 April 1919, more than two years after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.
    Note the pier used by salvagers to remove guns and equipment from the ship, and the degree that she had settled since going ashore.

    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46166

    USS Milwaukee
    (Cruiser # 21)

    Forward portion of the cruiser's wreck, taken on 29 April 1919, more than two years after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.
    Note the pier used by salvagers to remove the ship's guns and equipment, and the degree that Milwaukee had settled since going ashore.

    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 54KB; 740 x 585 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46167

    USS Milwaukee
    (Cruiser # 21)

    Pier used by salvagers to remove the ship's guns and equipment, with the wreck cruiser's stern visible at left. Taken on 29 April 1919, more than two years after Milwaukee went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.
    Note broken piles below the pier deck, an indication of the power of the Pacific Coast surf.

    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     

    For other images concerning the stranding of this ship, see:

  • Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917.

    For views of and on board this ship prior to her loss, see:

  • USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21), 1906-1917.


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


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 31 May 2004