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USS Colorado (CA-7)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photoraphs of USS Colorado (CA-7)

USS Colorado (CA-7) was launched on 25 April 1903 by William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, Pa.; sponsored by Miss. Cora M. Peabody, daughter of Governor James H. Peabody of Colorado; and commissioned on 19 January 1905, Capt. Duncan Kennedy in command.

USS Colorado (CA-7) sailed on her shakedown cruise down the east coast to Target Bay, Culebra Island, P.R., and trained in Caribbean waters (12 March–9 May 1905 — she reached Culebra on 24 March). USS Colorado (CA-7)  then sailed for duty on the Asiatic Station (7 September). The ship stopped briefly in Honolulu in the Hawaiian Islands and at Guam, reaching Cavite Island in the Philippines on 18 November 1906. She cruised in connection with American interests in Chinese and Japanese waters during the succeeding months, and then carried out tactical maneuvers off Corregidor Island, Philippines (2–19 August 1907).

USS Colorado (CA-7) then operated on maneuvers with the 1st Division along the Californian coast, followed by additional training in Magdalena Bay, Mexico (31 December 1907–15 February 1908). She accomplished repairs at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Wash. (23 February–1 May). USS Colorado (CA-7)  sailed again for the Far East (10 September 1909–14 February 1910). Her voyage carried her through Hawaiian and Philippine waters. Ceremonial visits and receptions for dignitaries highlighted the next two years, and USS Colorado (CA-7) returned to Hawaiian and Philippine waters (21 November 1911–11 July 1912). She was placed in reduced commission as part of the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Puget Sound Navy Yard (17 May 1913–9 February 1915). The ship was placed in reserve with the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Puget Sound on 28 May. 

Once more in full commission on 9 February 1915, she sailed as the flagship of the Pacific Reserve Fleet, patrolling in Mexican waters and observing and keeping in touch with interned merchant ships during the Mexican Revolution (20 June–19 August 1916), and then returned to reserve status on to 26 September. USS Colorado (CA-7) was renamed Pueblo on 9 November 1916 while in overhaul (29 September–2 December 1916) to free up the name for new battleship USS Colorado (Battleship No. 45—redesignated BB 45 on 17 June 1920).

For a complete history of USS Colorado (CA-7) and its service as USS Pueblo (CA-7) please see its DANFS page.