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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--
U.S. Reinforcement of the Philippines, May-August 1898.

Having won the Battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey immediately recognized that, while he could now compel Manila's surrender, the city could not be occupied without a strong force of soldiers. He also soon became aware of the dual risks of a Spanish relief expedition and intervention by another power. Responding quickly to his cabled request for reinforcements, the U.S. Government made arrangements to dispatch Army forces and additional warships.

Three groups of soldiers were sent as rapidly as they could be gathered and trained. The first contingent left San Francisco in three transports on 25 May and arrived in Manila Bay at the end of June. Another four transports steamed through the Golden Gate on 15 June, arriving on 17 July. The third group, embarked in six ships, departed on 27 June and reached Manila Bay at the end of July. More soldiers and Marines were sent after the war's conclusion.

The few major warships left in the eastern Pacific were also ordered to reinforce Dewey. The cruiser Charleston accompanied the first Army expedition, bringing with her a much-needed ammunition resupply. To provide the Asiatic Squadron with heavy firepower, the monitors Monterey and Monadnock left California in June. Each escorted, and to some extent towed, by a collier, these slow ships were nearly two months in passage. Monterey was ready in time to help with Manila's capture, while Monadnock arrived a few days after the Spanish surrender.

This page features images of U.S. efforts to build up its forces in the Philippines.

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 86346

Reinforcement of the Philippines, 1898

Transports Australia, City of Sydney and City of Peking departing San Francisco with troops and supplies, en route to Manila, 25 May 1898. Reproduction of an artwork by P.N. Boeringer, 1898.

Navy Curator Accession #: 60-381-D

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 104,302 bytes; 740 x 660 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 75243

Reinforcement of the Philippines, 1898

Transport City of Peking departing San Francisco for Manila, 25 May 1898.

Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1972. Copied from the Union Iron Works Scrapbook, Vol. II.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 69,416 bytes; 740 x 535 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 75271

Reinforcement of the Philippines, 1898

Transport City of Peking sailing from San Francisco for Manila, with U.S. troops on board, 25 May 1898.

Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1972. Copied from the Union Iron Works Scrapbook, Vol. II, page 120.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 54,645 bytes; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 75272

Reinforcement of the Philippines, 1898

Transport City of Peking leaving San Francisco with U.S. troops, en route to Manila, 25 May 1898.

Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1972. Copied from the Union Iron Works Scrapbook, Vol. II, page 126.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 66,715 bytes; 740 x 600 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 55562

USS Charleston (C-2)

Halftone photograph, from a contemporary publication, showing Brigadier General Thomas B. Anderson, U.S. Army, and his staff visiting the cruiser at Honolulu, 2 June 1898. Anderson was in command of the first expedition of troops sent to the Philippines, convoyed by Charleston from Honolulu to Manila. He was a son of Major General Robert Anderson, who had commanded Fort Sumter at the beginning of the Civil War.
Note breech of 6-inch gun and carved wooden entryway sideboard at left, and boat stowage overhead.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 78,940 bytes; 740 x 595 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 82635

S.S. Valencia

Leaving San Francisco, California, circa 27 June 1898, with men of the First North Dakota Volunteer Regiment aboard. They were part of the Army's third expedition to take reinforcements to Manila. The original photograph was published on a stereograph card.

Courtesy of Captain George Atkins, USNR(DC), 1975.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

A stereo pair version of this image is available as Photo # NH 82635-A

Online Image: 68,518bytes; 590 x 660 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45954

USS Monadnock (BM-3)

Steams through the Golden Gate, leaving San Francisco en route to Manila, 23 June 1898.

Courtesy of Dr. Joseph R. Sleven, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, 1938.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 80,640 bytes; 740 x 535 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45956

USS Monadnock (BM-3)

In the Pacific Ocean during her voyage from San Francisco to Manila, 23 June - 16 August 1898. Photographed from USS Nero.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 51,616bytes; 740 x 545 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 60659

USS Monadnock (BM-3)

At sea between San Francisco, CA, and Manila, Philippine Islands, circa June-August 1898. Photographed from USS Nero (1898-1922), her escort on the trans-Pacific voyage.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 57,165 bytes; 740 x 538 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42516

USS Monterey (BM-6) (center)
and
USS Charleston (C-2) (right)

In Manila Bay, circa 1898-1899.

Courtesy of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 48,383 bytes; 740 x 560 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 85787

Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts.

U.S. Marines, under the command of Colonel Percival C. Pope, depart the Navy Yard en route to the Philippines, circa late 1898 or early 1899. Engraving by Borley, from a contemporary publication.

Courtesy of Captain Goold N. Bull, USNR, 1977.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 133,024bytes; 740 x 665 pixels

 

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6 April 1998