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Monadnock II (ScStr)

(ScStr: dp. 3,990; l. 262'3"; b. 55'5"; dr. 14'6"; s. 11.6 k.; cpl. 156; a. 4 10", 2 4", 2 6‑pdrs., 2 3‑pdrs., 2 1‑pdrs. cl. Amphitrite)

A monadnock of more than 3,100 feet in southern New Hampshire close to the border of Massachusetts; often called Grand Monadnock to distinguish it from Little Monadnock which lies nearby to the east.

II

The second Monadnock, an iron‑hulled, twin‑screw, double‑turreted monitor, was laid down by Phineas Burgess at the Continental Iron Works, Vallejo, Calif., in 1874; launched 19 September 1883; completed at Mare Island Navy Yard; and commissioned there 20 February 1896, Capt. George W. Sumner in command.

After fitting out Monadnock served as a unit of the Pacific Squadron along the west coast. During the next 2 years exercises and training cruises sent her along the Pacific coast from Puget Sound to Baja California. After the outbreak of war with Spain, she was ordered to join Dewey's fleet in the Philippines. She departed San Francisco 23 June 1898, touched at Hawaii early in July, and reached Manila Bay 16 August. She operated on blockade duty in the Manila‑Marviles‑Cavite area, with brief voyages to Hong Kong, until December 1899. On 26 December, she sailed for Hong Kong and for the next 5 years, cruised the rivers of China, particularly the Yangtze, and along her coast to protect American interests. Between 27 January and 7 October 1901, she stood almost continuous duty at the mouth of the Yangtze protecting the foreign settlement at Shanghai, operating similarly on four other occasions: 6 December 1902 to 8 April 1903; 18 September 1903 to 10 March 1904; and 8 April 1904 to 28 November 1904.

On 3 February 1905 she returned to Cavite. Operating out of Olongapo, she remained in the Philippines, with two interruptions for brief visits to Hong Kong, until decommissioned at Cavite 10 March 1909. Recommissioned in reserve 20 April 1911, she resumed operations out of Olangapo, until placed in full commission 31 January 1912 at Cavite. For the next 7 years she cruised with submarines, and towed targets. Decommissioning for the last time 24 March 1919, her name was struck from the Navy list 2 February 1923, and her hull was sold, on the Asiatic Station, 24 August 1923.

Published: Tue Aug 11 09:01:17 EDT 2015