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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 -- Other Support Ships

In addition to colliers and tugs, the Spanish-American War Navy obtained several other types of auxiliaries to keep its warships functioning efficiently in the combat zones. Among them were USS Celtic, Glacier, Supply, Culgoa and Zafiro, which brought fresh provisions and other supplies from rear areas to the operating forces. The last two ships were used by Dewey's Asiatic Squadron, with Zafiro also serving as a collier. The others were in the Atlantic, along with the hospital ship Solace and repair ship Vulcan. Three ships, Niagara, Rainbow and Iris, were purchased for conversion to water distilling ships and Arethusa as a water tanker. However, of these, only Niagara was ready in time for active war service.

The post-war Navy retained all but Vulcan and Niagara, and most remained in service until the 1920s. About 1910, USS Arethusa became the U.S. Navy's first oil tanker, a early element in the introduction of a fuel that initially supplemented and then replaced coal as the motive force of seapower.

This page features views of some of these useful support ships.

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 55066

USS Celtic (1898-1923)

At the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, 29 May 1898.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 45,984 bytes; 740 x 595 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 912

USS Celtic (1898-1923)

Photographed circa May 1898.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 61,510 bytes; 740 x 600 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 53740

USS Glacier (1898-1922)

Photographed circa the early 1900s.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 48,183 bytes; 740 x 545 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 43624

USS Solace (1898-1930)

Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, 1 July 1899.

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

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 67,203 bytes; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45237

USS Vulcan (1898-99)

At sea, during the Spanish-American War period, 1898.

Copied from the book of letters kept by Assistant Surgeon William S. Thomas, 1898.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 38,324 bytes; 740 x 365 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 61686

USS Arethusa (1898-1927)

Photographed circa 1898. This ship began conversion to a water carrier during the Spanish-American War, but was commissioned too late to see service in that confict. About a decade later, she became the U.S. Navy's first oiler.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 55,440 bytes; 740 x 535 pixels

 

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13 April 1998