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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 75723:  USS Rhode Island in the Panama Canal, 1919

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

USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17), 1906-1923

USS Rhode Island, a 14,948-ton Virginia class battleship, was built at Quincy, Massachusetts. She commissioned in February 1906 and spent most of that and the next year along the U.S. east coast and in the Caribbean area. Beginning in December 1907, Rhode Island took part in the World cruise of the "Great White Fleet", steaming from Hampton Roads, Virginia, around South America to the U.S. west coast, then across the Pacific to visit Australia, the Philippines and Japan. The route home included the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, with arrival back at Hampton Roads taking place in February 1909.

Modernized after this historic voyage, Rhode Island received a "cage" foremast and numerous other alterations before again taking up her duties with the Atlantic Fleet. She was fitted with a second "cage" mast in 1910 and later in the year visited Europe with other U.S. battleships. From 1911 to 1917, Rhode Island took part in regular fleet operations in the western Atlantic and Caribbean. She also participated in U.S. actions along Mexico's Gulf coast during 1913 and 1914.

After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Rhode Island served in training, developmental and anti-submarine patrol roles. With the return of peace, she was assigned to transport duty, bringing over 5000 men home from France in five trans-Atlantic round-trips between December 1918 and July 1919. The battleship next transited the Panama Canal to join the Pacific Fleet and spent the rest of her operational career in the vicinity of the U.S. west coast. Decommissioned in June 1920 and soon thereafter given the hull number BB-17, USS Rhode Island had no further active service. She was sold for scrapping in November 1923.

This page features selected views concerning USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) and provides links to all the other images we have related to this ship.

For more photographs, artworks and other material concerning USS Rhode Island, see:

  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17) -- Overall Views as Built, with Military Masts;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17) -- Overall Views as modified in 1909, with One "Cage" Mast;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17) -- Overall views as modified in 1910, with Two "Cage" Masts;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- Overall Views taken in 1917-1923;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- Distant Views of the Ship, and Views taken from Her;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- On Board and Close Up Views -- Miscellaneous;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- On Board and Close Up Views -- Ship's Crew;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- On Board and Close Up Views -- Coaling Ship;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- On Board and Close Up Views -- Gunnery;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- Miscellaneous Images.


    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-20-22-13

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    Photographed on 2 May 1907.
    Note steam launch alongside and sailing boat (with sails raised) on her deck by the after superposed gun turret.

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

    Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 535 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 19-N-2-22-16

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    Underway off New York City, with a tug steaming alongside, circa 1909.
    Note that she has been refitted with a "cage" foremast, but still has her military mainmast.

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

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 19-N-60-4-5

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    At anchor, circa mid-1910, after she had been refitted with two "cage masts".
    Note gun aiming practice devices fitted to her turrets.

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

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 570 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: NH 82128

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    Underway, leading a column of battleships, circa 1912.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Abraham DeSomer, donated by Myles DeSomer, 1975.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 57KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101192

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    At the Boston Navy Yard, painted in an experimental camouflage scheme, in 1917-18.

    Courtesy of the Boston National Historical Park, Charlestown Navy Yard.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 570 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 75723

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    Steaming through Gatun Lake during the passage of the Pacific Fleet through the Panama Canal, 1 August 1919.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C.; Collection of Admiral William V. Pratt.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101089

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    Illuminated with electric lights for a festive occasion, circa 1913.
    Photographed by Sargent.

    From the album of Francis Sargent; Courtesy of Commander John Condon, 1986.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 38KB; 740 x 500 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101126

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    Men of the battleship's First Division pose before the forward 12" & 8" superposed gun turret, circa 1913. Note goat in front center.
    Photographed by Sargent.

    From the album of Francis Sargent; Courtesy of Commander John Condon, 1986.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 450 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101114

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    "Just as happy after coaling": Crewmen clowning for the camera after coaling ship, circa 1913.
    Photographed by Sargent.
    Note coal dust on nearly everyone, and goggles worn by a few.

    From the album of Francis Sargent; Courtesy of Commander John Condon, 1986.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 90KB; 490 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101120

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    "The first swimming call": Crewmen swim over the battleship's side after coaling, circa 1913. Note dirty faces of swimmers, and whaleboat standing by on lifeguard duty.
    Photographed by Sargent.

    From the album of Francis Sargent; Courtesy of Commander John Condon, 1986.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 118KB; 485 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101129

    USS Rhode Island
    (Battleship # 17)

    "Our Mess cooks": Three crewmen prepare to peel potatos, circa 1913.
    Photographed by Sargent.

    From the album of Francis Sargent; Courtesy of Commander John Condon, 1986.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 475 pixels

     


    For more photographs, artworks and other material concerning USS Rhode Island, see:

  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17) -- Overall Views as Built, with Military Masts;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17) -- Overall Views as modified in 1909, with One "Cage" Mast;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17) -- Overall views as modified in 1910, with Two "Cage" Masts;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- Overall Views taken in 1917-1923;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- Distant Views of the Ship, and Views taken from Her;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- On Board and Close Up Views -- Miscellaneous;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- On Board and Close Up Views -- Ship's Crew;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- On Board and Close Up Views -- Coaling Ship;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- On Board and Close Up Views -- Gunnery;
  • USS Rhode Island (Battleship # 17, later BB-17) -- Miscellaneous Images.


    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 17 July 2001
    Coverage greatly expanded 27 May 2008