|
U.S.S. New York (CA-2), 1893 |
USS New York, an armored cruiser built 1891-93 at Cramps in Philadelphia, in a dramatic photo from her trials. The 8,150-ton New York was the biggest steel ship yet built for the U.S. Navy. She carried six 8" guns: two in twin turrets at bow and stern, and 2 in single mount barbettes on the beams; she had a 4" armor belt and better protection on turrets and conn; could steam at 20 knots when her engines were in good repair. The New York was an object of great pride in the service and was always known for her spit-and-polish cleanliness and smart efficiency.
New York was sent to Brazil straight out of the gate and spent a few years cruising Caribbean and Latin American waters. In Europe she represented the U.S. at the ceremonial opening of the Kiel Canal in 1895. Returning to the U.S., she was stationed out of Charleston until early 1898, when she transferred to Key West as part of the staging for the war on Spain. In that conflict she served as the flagship of R. Adm. William T. Sampson, commanding the naval forces in the Santiago campaign.
New York's guns spoke in bombardment of the forts at Matanzas, Cuba and the Morro Castle at San Juan, PR. The American fleet's principal objective was first finding, then (after May 28) blockading and defeating the squadron of Adm. Pascual de Cervera y Topete, bottled up in the port of Santiago de Cuba, and much of Sampson's effort was devoted to battle plans against the Spanish force. Essentially, the Sampson Plan called for the American blockaders, some 6 or 7 heavy ships, to rush in at high speed, converging just off the harbor mouth to sink the Spaniards in the approaches. As fate would have it, the admiral and the New York both missed the action, having departed for a previously scheduled conference with Gen. Shafter at Siboney, 8 miles up the coast, the very morning Cervera chose to come out. Vice Adm. Winfield S. Schley, in command during Sampson's absence, jumped the outnumbered Spaniards as soon as they emerged around 9:30 a.m. Every man in the U.S. fleet was spoiling for a fight, while the Spanish labored ounder several disadvantages. The Yanks under Schley in the Brooklyn notched up a sweeping victory in short order. The fun was all but over by the time the New York hurriedly returned to the scene, frantically signaling the fleet. Sampson intercepted Schley's battle report and substituted a vainglorious battle report beginning, "The Fleet under my command offers the nation as a Fourth of July present, the whole of Cervera's Fleet." This document entirely omitted the fact that Sampson had been absent, and entirely omitted any mention of Schley -- or, for that matter, of any officer beside Sampson. But this spin on events did not stick. The press played Schley up as a great hero à la Dewey, a point of view supported by many of the servicemen who had been present. Jealousy and infighting between Sampson and his staff on the one hand, and Schley and his supporters on the other, ensued over the next 5 years, to the point where most servicemen identified themselves either as a "Schley man" or a "Sampson man".
A Court of Enquiry was called at Schley's request. Sitting late in 1901, it vindicated Schley in the main, but also criticized several of his actions prior to the battle. Sampson is generally acknowledged as the loser of the feud. Although he had a legitimate claim to being a secondary author of victory. This must have been a bitter pill to the man who had graduated first in his class (Annapolis, 1861) and, much later, served as commandant of the Academy. Sampson died within months after retiring in 1902.
New York did not miss out on the adulation of the public after the "splendid little war" was over, however. She was prominent in the lavish victory parade down the Hudson on Oct. 5, 1898: scrubbed, polished, and painted into a gleaming exemplar of pre-dreadnought perfection. Triumphal spirit raged through the country, and the navy exploited it with cruises and visits to ports of call along both coasts, in which the New York joined state naval militias in a none-too-subtle recruitment effort over the next 14 months. Following that she spent more than a year showing the flag in Latin America again, before being transferred to the Asiatic Fleet. There she supported empire building through 1903, lending her big guns and landing parties to help crush the Philippine Insurrection.
Returning to the States, New York led a reception for President Teddy Roosevelt in San Francisco before reporting to Bremerton, Washington to become flagship, U.S. Pacific Fleet. At Bremerton, she was reconstructed, the beam 8" barbettes being replaced by a single 5" casemate on the main deck and two 3-pdr guns above. She was also re-boilered with a dozen Babcock & Wilcox units. The ship was renamed twice, each time to free the name up for a newer and mightier warship: she first became the Saratoga in 1911 and then the Rochester in 1917, allowing New York to be used for the dreadnought battleship and Saratoga for a battlecruiser -- whose incomplete hull was later converted into the famous WWII carrier under the Washington Treaty for Naval Disarmament.
The history of the Brooklyn over the next decades reads like a litany of empire: enforcing the law in favor of United Fruit in Nicaragua; putting down a peasant revolt there after an earthquake ravaged Managua in 1931; two hitches with the Asiatic Fleet during the 1920s. She was modernized between 1905-1906, spent the last 2 years of WWI as a convoy escort on the North Atlantic, and later transported U.S. doughboys home after the Armistice.
In 1919 she was flagship of the squadron escorting the first transatlantic flight by a squadron of Curtiss-Wright flying boats (the NC-4 completed the flight, a technological triumph 8 years in advance of Lindbergh's crossing). In 1925 she transported Gen. John T. Pershing on a diplomatic mission to Chile. Eventually, worn out but not without honor in the service, she was decommissioned in 1933 and struck in 1938. She was hulked and moored at the Olongapo yard in Subic Bay, the Philippines. There she was scuttled in December 1941 to prevent capture by the Japanese. Still extant in shallow waters, she is today a popular diving destination, relatively intact compared to other pre-dreadnought wrecks.
Specifications for the 1893 New York (CA-2):
Dimensions: 384' x 64'10½" x 23'4" Displacement: 8,150 tons. Armament: (6) 8"/35 guns, (12) 4"/40, (8) 6-pdr, and (4) 1-pdr guns; (3) 14" torpedo tubes. Armor: 4" belt, 6½" turrets, 5" hoists, 6"/4" barbettes, 6"/3" deck, 7" conn. Coal capacity: 750 tons normal; 1,075 tons maximum. Propulsion: (2) inverted vertical triple-expansion engines developing 16,000 IHP, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 21 knots. Crew: 565.
Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 117m x 19.8m x 7.1m. Displacement: 8,150 tons. Armament: (6) 203 mm/35, (12) 102 mm/40, (8) 6-pdr, and (4) 1-pdr guns; (3) 14" torpedo tubes. Armor: 102 mm belt, 165 mm turrets, 127 mm hoists, 152/102 mm deck, 178 mm conn. Coal capacity: 750 tons normal; 1,075 tons maximum. Propulsion: (2) inverted vertical triple-expansion engines, developing 11,931 kW, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 39 km/hr. Crew: 565.
A crisp shot of the New York anchored off the coast of Maine. She appears in peacetime colours of "white and spar." The flagship was always noted as a spit-and-polish vessel, qualities beautifully rendered in the clear sunshine and salt air.
The New York under way to a naval review -- perhaps the October 5, 1898 victory celebration at New York City. Note the full round sculpted eagle atop the U.S. crest at the prow.
A nearly architectural bows-on shot of the New York at anchor, shot from the next ship anchored in line. Note the lines to secure many small boats streaming from the booms to port, all the hatches along the hull opened for ventilation.
An artistic version of the same scene: Carlton T. Chapman's oil painting of the pre-war U.S. cruiser fleet opens like a wedge between the nearly end-on New York at left and the 4-piper Columbia in ¾ view at right. The perspective constructed by these two ships leads the viewer's eye naturally into the "distance" in this artful composition. With artistic license, the painter omits awnings, drying laundry, open hatches and scuttles, and much of the nitty-gritty of daily naval life to glorify the professionalism of the service. We show a detail from a slightly larger work.
|
U.S.S. Brooklyn (CA-3), 1896 |
A rare profile shot of the Brooklyn emphasizes the ship's exaggerated verticality, the height of the stovepipe funnels, the minimalism of the superstructure, and the flaring ends of the hull. What this angle cannot show is the bulging shape of the hull, like the profile borrowed from French naval design of the Belle Epoque. Compare with the top, profile shot of the New York above. Like the New York and Olympia, she had a triangular "cofferdam" between the union of the hull and the slanted side of the protective armored deck, extending to the deck above and filled with "cellulose" (dried corn stalks) to absorb water after any hit at the waterline. In practice the cellulose proved impractical and was removed. It is unknown whether an effective substitute was found.
Similar in size and armament to the New York, the later Brooklyn was slightly larger, better protected, faster, and more heavily armed. Brooklyn reflected French styling in her high sides, tall funnels, and pronounced tumble-home (turning inwards of the hull sides as they climb upwards). This is in marked contrast to the straight-sided New York and Olympia. Brooklyn's eight 8-inch guns were deployed in the "diamond layout" favored by French warship designers: one turret each at bow and stern, and one on each beam -- all of them twin mounts rather than singles as favored in the Marine Nationale Française. The exaggerated tumble-home created an improved arc of fire for the beam turrets when aimed nearly straight ahead or astern.
Specifications for the 1896 Brooklyn (CA-3):
Dimensions: 402'7" x 64'8" x 28' Displacement: 9,215 tons. Armament: (8) 8"/35, (12) 5"/40 QF, (8) 6-pdr, and (4) 1-pdr guns; (5) 18" torpedo tubes. Armor: 3" belt, 8" barbettes, 5½" turrets, 7" conn, 6"/3" protective deck; no armored bulkheads in this design. Coal capacity: 900 tons normal; 1,350 tons maximum. Propulsion: (12) coal-fired Belleville boilers (replaced by 7 cylindrical boilers, 1909). (4) sets inverted vertical triple-expansion engines developing 18,750 HP, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 20 kts (made 21.91 on trials). Crew: 561; 572 as flagship.
Metric Specifications:
Dimensions: 122m x 20m x 8m. Displacement: 9,215 tons. Armament: (8) 203 mm/35, (12) 127 mm/40 QF, (8) 6-pdr, (4) 1-pdr guns; (5) 450 mm torpedo tubes. Armor: 76 mm belt, 203 mm barbettes, 140 mm turrets, 178 mm conn, 152/76 mm protective deck; no armored bulkheads utilized. Coal capacity: 900 tons normal; 1,350 tons maximum. Propulsion: (12) coal-fired Belleville boilers (replaced by 7 cylindrical boilers, 1909). (4) inverted vertical triple-expansion engines developing 13,982 kW, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 37 km/hr (made 40.6 on trials). Crew: 561; 572 as flagship.
 Brooklyn's first assignment was to represent the United States at the Diamond Jubilee naval review staged for Queen Victoria (1897). On return to the States, she was assigned to the West Indies in the buildup to the Spanish-American War which was even then being plotted. In March 1898 she became the flagship of the "Flying Squadron" under the command of Vice Adm. Winfield S. Schley. The Flying Squadron was supposed to be available to defend any portion of America's eastern seaboard against Spanish attack, but soon was assigned exclusively to the campaign in Cuba. Brooklyn contributed to the bombardment and blockade of Cienfuegos, where Adm. Cervera erroneously was supposed to be replenishing after his transatlantic jaunt. When Cuban insurgents gave firm intelligence that Adm. Cervera's force was at Santiago de Cuba, Brooklyn and the Flying Squadron established a blockade of that port on May 28. R. Adm. William T. Sampson, in overall command of the campaign, arrived on June 1. The fleet watched and waited for a month. In the absence of Adm. Sampson (see above), Schley took acting command of the U.S. forces on the very day that Cervera attempted his escape (July 3). Brooklyn thus became the flagship during the ensuing battle. She was in the thick of the fray from the first, being struck by more than 20 enemy shells. Eyewitness observers point to her as the "MVP" in this battle. As she made off after the sole remaining Spanish warship, J.C. Hemment described her as follows:
As the Brooklyn bounded after the Colón, it was a sight to make glad an American soul. She absolutely leaped through the water at a speed almost unknown hitherto; flames poured forth from her smokestacks, and it was evident that the men in her fire-rooms were doing their duty like yeomen on this occasion. It seemed as though they were pouring oil on the coals instead of ordinary fuel, so as to get all possible speed out of the vessel. Talk about having a bone in her teeth -- she had several! . . . The men at the batteries were firing as they gradually closed in on her, when suddenly they came abreast and the secondary batteries of the Brooklyn could be seen pouring a most destructive fire into the Spaniard.
 In the battle, she suffered one crewman killed and one wounded. At left, stern view of the ship at Oyster Bay -- the ship's narrow armor belt is clearly visible at the waterline (click here for super enlarged view) - photo by J.C. Hemment. On October 5, 1898, meticulously repainted and everything Bristol fashion, Brooklyn assumed a place of honor in the New York victory gala -- which was largely a celebration of the "New Navy." Festivities continued all the next year throughout the country, and Brooklyn was on hand to welcome Adm. George E. Dewey for a virtual canonization in New York in September 1899 -- an event used as the launching pad for Dewey's lamentable run at the presidency in 1900. Though he never succeeded in politics, the retired admiral was well loved in the country and the service until his death in 1917.
Brooklyn led a varied existence through her demise in 1922. She underwent a major refit between 1909 and 1911, including the installation of two-stage hoists for her big guns, re-boilering with standard Scotch cylindrical boilers, and the creation of a centralized fire control system. At this time all the torpedo tubes were removed, along with half the 6-pdr guns. Among the highlights of the ship's later career: She was present for the transfer of power from U.S. military occupation authorities to the new gangster/puppet government of Cuba in 1902 (sound familiar, Iraq watchers?) In 1905, she transported the remains of Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones from Cherbourg, France to Annapolis, where they were laid to rest in a specially erected shrine at the Naval Academy. The Brooklyn was several times designated flagship, most recently as lead ship of the 1st Division, U.S. Asiatic Squadron, and of the Pacific Fleet's destroyer squadrons. The ship was posted in the Pacific region from 1915 to early 1921, when she was ordered back for the inevitable end of an honorable career. After decommissioning at Mare Island that year, she was sold for scrap. As the calendar turned to 1922 and the economy showed feeble signs of reviving following the postwar slowdown, the once-proud Brooklyn was towed to the wreckers' and cut up to fuel the coming boom times.
A Brooklyn Picture Gallery
The Brooklyn on her trials: a fortunate craft at the outset of a long career.
The Brooklyn and Massachusetts bombarding Cienfuegos. Both have filled trim tanks along one side to float crookedly, improving their guns' elevation -- a process known as "flooding down."
 The Brooklyn's finest hour, as the American flagship in the Battle of Santiago. This dramatic and reasonably accurate canvas shows the early phase of the battle, with the Spanish cruisers (left) taking punishment but not yet disabled. The two destroyers at the tail of the line are getting the worst of it. Enlarge
The USS Brooklyn at the New York Navy Yard. The lighting in this near-profile view models her voluptuous curves admirably.
The Brooklyn was a popular subject of patriotic calendar and postcard art. Among collectors, this somewhat crude effort, replete with all the usual effects, is known as the "grey and green Brooklyn."
The climax: the Brooklyn's crew throngs the decks to receive the applause of the multitudes. Part of a stereographic pair shot after the triumphal parade at New York, October 5, 1898. This angle emphasizes the ship's exaggerated tumble-home, verticality, and the scale of the beam 8" turrets, rarely photographed trained outboard like this. As much as any battleship, the Brooklyn personified the emergence of America as a modern naval power -- as an imperial power with worldwide clout.
|
|
Relevant Weblinks:
|
