This page presents a broad selection of our 1890s images of the Navy's African-American sailors.

Additional material African Americans and the U.S. Navy

The following pages feature African-American individuals who served in the 1890s Navy:

• Robert Penn, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in containing a fireroom accident on the battleship Iowa during the Spanish-American War.
• Sam Tines, a member of the USS Monongahela's crew in 1899.

The following pictures show African-Americans on board U.S. Navy ships during the 1890s:

Click photograph for a larger image.

Photo #: NH 52451 USS Charleston (C-2) Men running an obstacle race, during Thanksgiving Day celebrations on board Charleston at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 1893. Courtesy of Captain Henry F. Picking, 24 December 1893. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 625
Photo #: NH 56595 USS Brooklyn (CA-3) "Next" -- Barber shop scene on board Brooklyn in 1898. Note that this shop uses a portable barber's chair, set up in Brooklyn's windlass room. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 670
Photo #: NH 50183 USS Maine (1895-1898) "Gunner's Gang", photographed in one of the ship's torpedo rooms. Halftoned photograph, published in Uncle Sam's Navy, 1898. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 127KB; 740 x 615
Photo #: NH 80782 USS Newark (C-1) Two members of the cruiser's crew, 1898. Man on left is wearing a steward's uniform. Copied from the collection of William D. Edwards, by courtesy of Robert W. Edwards, 1974. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 615

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions