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USS Chicago (1889-1935) 

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Chicago (1889-1935) 

USS Chicago (1889-1935), a protected cruiser, was launched 5 December 1885 by John Roach and Sons, Chester, Pa.; sponsored by Miss E. Cleborne; and commissioned 17 April 1889, Captain H. B. Robeson in command; classified CA-14 on 17 July 1920.

On 7 December 1889 USS Chicago (1889-1935) departed Boston for Lisbon, Portugal, arriving 21 December. The cruiser served in European and Mediterranean waters as the flagship of the Squadron of Evolution until 31 May 1890 when she sailed from Funchal, Madeira, to call at Brazilian and West Indian ports before returning to New York 29 July. USS Chicago (1889-1935) operated along the east coasts of North and South America and in the Caribbean as flagship of the Squadron of Evolution and, later as flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron, until 1893. USS Chicago (1889-1935) sailed from New York 25 November for an extended cruise, as flagship of the South Atlantic Station until early July 1901, then as flagship of the European Station. 

Between 3 December 1903 and 15 August 1904 USS Chicago (1889-1935) was out of commission at Boston undergoing repairs. On 8 January 1908 USS Chicago (1889-1935) departed San Diego for the east coast and in May joined the Naval Academy Practice Squadron for the summer cruise along the northeast coast until 27 August when she went into reserve. USS Chicago (1889-1935) was recommissioned the next summer (14 May-28 August 1909) to operate with the Practice Squadron alone: the east coast, then returned to Annapolis.

On 6 April 1917 USS Chicago (1889-1935) was placed in full commission at Philadelphia and reported to Submarine Force, Atlantic, as flagship. On 10 July 1919 she departed New York to join Cruiser Div. 2, as flagship in Pacific. She was reclassified CL-14 in 1921. From Dec. 1919 until Sept. 1923, she served with Submarine Division 14 and as tender at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor.

USS Chicago (1889-1935) was decommissioned at Pearl Harbor 30 Sept. 1923; served as a barracks ship until 1935; renamed Alton 16 July 1928 and reclassified IX-5; and sold 15 May 1936. 

For a complete history of USS Chicago (1889-1935) please see its DANFS page.