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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
EVENTS--Spanish-American War--
Other Activities in the Pacific Ocean

With Dewey's Asiatic Squadron in possession of Manila Bay, the need for secure shipping routes to the Philippines suddenly became acute. Accordingly, the United States took steps to obtain potential bases and coaling stations along the thousands of miles across the Pacific. In June 1898, while escorting the first Philippine reinforcement group, USS Charleston stopped by the isolated Spanish island of Guam, seized its governing authorities, and claimed the island as American territory. Uninhabited Wake Atoll, further to the east, was also taken as a U.S. possession. Finally, the Hawaiian Republic, which had unsuccessfully sought annexation by the United States some years earlier, achieved that status quickly when the Spanish-American War swept aside anti-imperialist sentiments in Washington, DC.

This page features views relating to the acquisition of Pacific islands by the United States.

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

In all cases, clicking on the small photograph will prompt a larger view of the same image.

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 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

 
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 2140

Annexation of Hawaii, 1898

Ceremonies marking the raising of the United States flag at the Old Government Building (Iolani Palace), 12 August 1898. Photograph by Davey.
President Dole, of the Hawaiian Republic, is among those present.

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

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 122,340 bytes; 740 x 615 pixels

 

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19 April 1998