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Brooklyn II (CA-3)

(CA-3: dp. 9215; l. 402'7"; b. 64'8"; dr. 28'; s. 20 k.' cpl. 561; a. 8 8", 12 5", 5 18" TT.)

A city located at the southwestern end of Long Island, N.Y., that was incorporated into New York City in 1898 as one of six boroughs. During the American Revolution, the Battle of Long Island was fought on land that now constitutes Brooklyn, and the New York Navy Yard was established on its waterfront in 1801.

II

The second 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.

Brooklyn was originally armed with eight 8-inch .35 caliber guns; twelve 5-inch .40 caliber guns; twelve 6-pounders; four 1-pounders; and five 18-inch surface torpedo tubes. The maximum thickness of her armor was eight inches. Two of her four eight-inch turrets were experimentally powered by electricity instead of steam. They operated with such marked success that installations of a similar type were ordered for battleships Kearsarge, Kentucky, Illinois, and Alabama.

Brooklyn'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. She cruised along the eastern seaboard and in West Indies until becoming flagship of Commodore W. S. Schley's Flying Squadron on 28 March 1898.

The Flying Squadron arrived at Cienfuegos, Cuba, 21 May 1898 and established the blockade of that port. On 26 May the Squadron arrived at Santiago, Cuba, where the Spanish Fleet was being held behind the protection of the forts. Brooklyn 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, Brooklyn suffered only one man wounded and one man killed.

Brooklyn returned to Tompkinsville, N.Y., 20 August 1898; cruised along the Atlantic coast and in Caribbean waters; participated in the Spanish-American War Victory Celebration at New York 5 October 1899 and sailed via the Suez Canal to Manila, Philippine Islands, where she arrived 16 December 1899. She became flagship of the Asiatic Squadron and participated in the North China Relief Expedition (8 July-11 October 1900) and made a cruise to Australia and Dutch East Indies (10 April-7 August 1901). She remained with the Asiatic Squadron until 1 March 1902, when she sailed for the United States via the Suez Canal and arrived at New York Navy Yard 1 May.

On 20 May 1902 Brooklyn was at Havana, Cuba, for the ceremonies to transfer the authority on that Island from the United States Government to the Cuban Government. During June and July she was on special duty in connection with the obsequies of the late British Ambassador to the United States, Lord Paucefote. During the next four years she cruised with the North Atlantic Fleet and the European Squadron, returning to New York 25 May 1905. On 7 June 1905, as flagship of Rear Admiral C. D. Sigsbee, she sailed for Cherbourg, France, where the remains of the late John Paul Jones were received aboard and brought to America. Upon arrival at Annapolis, Commodore Jones' remains were transferred ashore to a receiving vault at the Naval Academy with appropriate ceremonies 23 July 1905.

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), Brooklyn 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. During 12 April-4 December 1907 Brooklyn served as part of the permanent display at Jamestown Exposition, Jamestown, Va. Following her return to Philadelphia, Brooklyn went into reserve 21 December 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). She 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.

Brooklyn was placed out of commission at Mare Island Navy Yard 9 March 1921 and sold for scrap on 20 December 1921 to G. W. Pigman.

 

30 November 2005

Published: Mon Feb 22 13:12:13 EST 2016