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USS Brooklyn (CA-3)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Brooklyn (CA-3)

USS Brooklyn (CA-3) (Armored Cruiser Number 3), was a first rate armored cruiser launched 2 October 1895 by William Cramp and Sons and Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, Pa. Her keel was laid 2 August 1893. She was sponsored by Miss Ida May Schieren, daughter of the Honorable Charles A. Schieren, Mayor of Brooklyn, New York and commissioned 1 December 1896, Captain F. A. Cook in command.

USS Brooklyn (CA-3)'s first assignment was a special service cruise to Great Britain with representatives of the United States for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. She departed Southampton 6 July 1897 and returned to New York the 17th. USS Brooklyn (CA-3) was a key vessel in the Battle of Santiago (3 July 1898) in which the Spanish Fleet was destroyed. Although she was struck 20 times by whole shot, USS Brooklyn (CA-3) suffered only one man wounded and one man killed. On 20 May 1902 USS Brooklyn (CA-3) was at Havana, Cuba, for the ceremonies to transfer the authority on that Island from the United States Government to the Cuban Government.

On 16 May 1906, following a naval militia cruise (3-23 August 1905) and a tour in the Mediterranean (28 December 1905-8 May 1906), USS Brooklyn (CA-3) went into reserve at League Island Navy Yard. Except for a short period (30 June-2 August 1906) in commission for special service at Havana, Cuba, she remained in reserve until the spring of 1907.

Placed out of commission 23 June 1908, she was commissioned in ordinary 2 March 1914. She was assigned to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and served as receiving ship at Boston Navy Yard (24 July 1914-13 March 1915). USS Brooklyn (CA-3) was placed in full commission at Philadelphia 9 May 1915 and served on Neutrality Patrol around Boston harbor until November, when she sailed to the Asiatic station where she served as flagship for the Commander-in-Chief. She attended to regular military and diplomatic duties in China, Japan, and Russia until September 1919 when she became the flagship of Commander, Division 1, Asiatic Fleet. In January 1920 she was assigned to the Pacific Fleet as flagship of Commander, Destroyer Squadrons, and remained there until 15 January 1921.

USS Brooklyn (CA-3) was placed out of commission at Mare Island Navy Yard 9 March 1921.

For a complete history of USS Brooklyn (CA-3) please see its DANFS page.