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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
Ships of the Spanish-American War--
U.S. NAVY SHIPS -- Larger Auxiliary Cruisers

In April 1898, the Navy chartered four large passenger liners for conversion to auxiliary cruisers. USS Harvard and Yale were distinctive ships, with three smokestacks and "clipper" bows. Saint Louis and Saint Paul had a more "modern" appearance, with two stacks and plumb bows.

All four were very active in the Caribbean, searching for the Spanish fleet, patrolling, blockading and cutting telegraph cables. On 22 June, Saint Paul fought a sharp engagement with Spanish warships off San Juan, Puerto Rico. Harvard and Saint Louis were present at the battle off Santiago, Cuba, on 3 July. With the elimination of Spanish naval power in the Caribbean area, the four big ships were used as transports. They were returned to their owners in September 1898, but reentered Navy service as troop transports during the First World War

This page features views of three of these four auxiliary cruisers.

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 43030

USS Yale (1898)

Photographed during the Spanish-American War, while serving as an Auxiliary Cruiser.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 57,893 bytes; 740 x 625 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 85345

USS Yale (1898)

In Cuban waters during the Spanish-American War.

Courtesy of Alfred Cellier, 1977.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71,181 bytes; 740 x 530 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 51428

USS St. Louis (1898)

Photographed during the Spanish-American War. Note that, though in U.S. Navy service, this ship remains in her civilian paint scheme.

Courtesy of Rear Admiral H.C. Taylor.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 47,759 bytes; 590 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59924

USS St. Paul (1898)

Photographed at the end of the Spanish-American War.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 43,054 bytes; 740 x 490 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 89086

USS St. Paul (1898)

View looking aft on her forecastle, following conversion to an auxiliary cruiser, 1898. Note 5-inch guns, capstans, winch and other deck gear. The original photograph was taken by C.H. Graves and published on a stereograph card.

Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN (MSC), 1979.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

A stereo pair version of this image is available as Photo # NH 89086-A

Online Image: 79,492 bytes; 590 x 680 pixels

 

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25 March 1998