Online Library of Selected Images
Ships of the Spanish-American War

U.S. Navy Flag Officers

Three U.S. Navy Rear Admirals and Commodores had combat commands during the Spanish-American War. In the western Pacific, Commodore George Dewey led the Asiatic Squadron in the 1 May 1898 Battle of Manila Bay as well as during subsequent operations in the Philippines. The Navy's main force in the Caribbean campaigns, the North Atlantic Squadron, was under the command of Rear Admiral William T. Sampson. A "Flying Squadron", established for mobile operations along the Atlantic seaboard and the Caribbean, was commanded by Commodore Winfield Scott Schley. Schley was senior officer present during most of the 3 July 1898 naval battle off Santiago de Cuba. However, Sampson had made the arrangements under which the battle commenced and arrived on the scene toward the end of the fight. All three officers received post-war honors, with Dewey being advanced to the senior rank of Admiral of the Navy.

This page features the U.S. Navy Flag Officers who had wartime combat commands.

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Photo #: NH 66609 Captain George Dewey, USN (1837-1917) Engraving by Robert Biddall, with a facsimile of Dewey's signature below, published circa 1898 by A.D. Worthington & Co., Hartford, CT. Dewey was promoted to Commodore in 1896, to Rear Admiral in May 1898 and to Admiral of the Navy in 1899. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 77,753 bytes; 474 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 100318 Admiral George Dewey, USN (1837-1917) On board his flagship, USS Olympia, in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, circa 1899. The original photograph was copyright 1899 by Underwood & Underwood and published on a stereograph card by Strohmeyer & Wyman, New York. Note awning overhead, 8"/35 gun turret at right and 5"/40 broadside guns in the background. Donation of Louis Smaus, 1985. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 68,652 bytes; 590 x 655 pixels
Photo #: NH 50564 Admiral George Dewey, USN (1837-1917) On board USS Olympia, upon his return to the United States in 1899. Photograph by George Grantham, 15 Park Row, New York City. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 54,660 bytes; 518 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 85578-KN (Color) Rear Admiral William Thomas Sampson, USN (1840-1902) Portrait in Oils by William C. Loring. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC., Gift of Ralph Sampson. Navy Art Accession #: 72-329-A. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 69,348 bytes; 591 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 46081 Rear Admiral William Thomas Sampson, USN (1840-1902) Photograph copyright 1899 by E. Chickering. Sampson headed the Navy's official inquiry into the loss of USS Maine, and commanded the North Atlantic Squadron during the Spanish-American War. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 45,851 bytes; 595 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 59498 Captain William Thomas Sampson, USN (1840-1902) Photograph taken prior to the Spanish-American War. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 42,634 bytes; 505 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 85942 Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, USN (1839-1911) Photograph copyright circa 1898-99 by Pach Brothers, New York, and published on a postal card. Schley commanded the "Flying Squadron" during the Spanish-American War. Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN(MSC), 1977. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 53,867 bytes; 560 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 66664 Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, USN (1839-1911) Engraving by Charles B. Hall, New York, with a facsimile of Schley's signature below, published circa 1898. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 76,230 bytes; 450 x 780 pixels

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions

To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.