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USS Petrel, an 867-ton gunboat, was built at Baltimore, Maryland, and commissioned in December 1889. After serving in the Atlantic until 1891, she steamed to the Asiatic Station where she remained for two decades. During the Spanish-American War, she participated in the Battle of Manila Bay and subsequent operations in the Philippines.
Petrel transferred to the Atlantic by way of Europe in 1911 and served in the Caribbean area until 1917. She patrolled off the U.S. coast during World War I. Decommissioned in July 1919, Petrel was sold in November 1920.
This page features selected 1890s views of USS Petrel.
If higher resolution reproductions than these digital images are desired, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
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Photo #: NH 88068-KN (Color) USS Petrel (PG-2) Oil on canvas by Francis Muller. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC. Donation of Commodore J.H. Hellweg. Navy Art Accession #: 51-027-A. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 75,408 bytes; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 44477 USS Petrel (PG-2) Photographed during the 1890s U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 74,112 bytes; 740 x 590 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 42707 USS Petrel (PG-2) At Hong Kong, 15 April 1898, shortly before the beginning of the Spanish-American War. Note crewmen aloft watching the rowing launches racing past in the foreground, also shipping and Chinese junks in the distance. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral Montgomery M. Taylor. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 77,491 bytes; 740 x 625 pixels |
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The following images are related to Petrel's participation in the Battle of Manila Bay:
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Photo #: NR&L(O) 18226 Battle of Manila Bay, 1 May 1898 Photograph of a contemporary artwork, depicting USS Petrel in action during the Battle. Courtesy of Mr. L.Y. Spear, Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT, 1948. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 61,642 bytes; 740 x 580 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 79948 Battle of Manila Bay, 1 May 1898 Halftone reproduction of an artwork by E.T. Smith, 1901, depicting a boat party from USS Petrel setting fire to Spanish gunboats near the battle's end. The party was under the direction of Chief Carpenter's Mate Franz A. Itrich, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for this operation. Copied from Deeds of Valor, Vol.II, page 354, published by the Perrien-Keydel Co., Detroit, Michigan, 1907. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 94,444 bytes; 740 x 595 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 79947 Franz A. Itrich, Chief Carpenter's Mate, USN, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Manila Bay, 1 May 1898. He was then serving aboard USS Petrel. Halftone image, published in Deeds of Valor, Vol.II, page 353, by the Perrien-Keydel Co., Detroit, Michigan, 1907. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 82,407 bytes; 470 x 770 pixels |
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page.9 October 1998