USS Baltimore C-3 Cruiser Ship History and Facts

The USS Baltimore C-3 Cruiser Ship has a rich history that's worth exploring. The ship was commissioned on June 1, 1896.

She was built at the Union Iron Works in San Francisco, California. The Baltimore was designed to be a modern cruiser, with a length of 275 feet and a beam of 37 feet.

The ship's primary armament consisted of two 5-inch guns. She also had a secondary armament of four 6-pounder guns and two 1-pounder guns.

The USS Baltimore played a significant role in the Spanish-American War, participating in the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898.

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The USS Baltimore was a protected cruiser commissioned on January 7, 1890, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She was initially assigned as the flagship to the North Atlantic Squadron, conveying the remains of inventor John Ericsson from New York to Stockholm, Sweden, following his death.

Commissioned for the second time in October 1897, Baltimore sailed to Hawaii, where she remained until the Spanish-American War in April 1898.

The USS Baltimore took part in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, and returned to New York two years later.

She was placed out of commission until May 1903, when she began serving in the Caribbean, with the European Squadron, in the Far East, and as a reserve ship at New York.

Baltimore was eventually converted to a minelayer and recommissioned in March 1915, laying mines during the North Sea Mine Barrage between the Orkney Islands and Norway.

In September 1919, she returned to the Pacific, where she was redesignated CM-1 a year later.

After arriving at Pearl Harbor in early 1921, the USS Baltimore was decommissioned in September 1922.

She later served as a storage hulk, and was present during the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

The USS Baltimore was eventually sold in 1942 and scuttled at sea in September 1944.

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The USS Baltimore (C-3) was built with a modern triple expansion engine designed by Humphrys, Tennant & Co., which was a significant upgrade from earlier designs. This engine was a key factor in the ship's impressive speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) on trials.

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The ship's initial cost for hull and machinery was $1,546,172.13, a substantial investment in its construction. Baltimore was among the first US Navy ships to feature this more powerful and efficient engine type.

Baltimore's design also included a unique stockless anchor designed by Herbert O. Dunn, which proved to be highly effective and was later adopted as the US Navy standard.

The USS Baltimore (Cruiser #3) was commissioned on January 7, 1890, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She was initially assigned as the flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron, conveying the remains of inventor John Ericsson from New York to Stockholm, Sweden.

Baltimore was a protected cruiser, meaning she had a combination of armor plating and guns for defense.

She joined the South Pacific Squadron in April 1891 to protect Americans during the Chilean Revolution.

The USS Baltimore was rebuilt between 1900 and 1903 with new armament, including 12 6-inch guns and six 3-inch guns.

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Her boilers were also replaced with eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers during this refit.

Baltimore's armament was upgraded again in 1913 and 1914, when she was converted into a minelayer at the Charleston Navy Yard.

She had a capacity of 180 mines and was equipped with four 6"/40 guns.

The USS Baltimore played a significant role in several major conflicts, including the Spanish-American War and World War I.

The Baltimore was built to plans purchased from Armstrong, a British manufacturer, which were similar to an unsuccessful Armstrong bid for the Spanish cruiser Reina Regente. These plans included a modern triple expansion engine designed by Humphrys, Tennant & Co.

The initial cost for the hull and machinery of the Baltimore was $1,546,172.13.

Baltimore was armed with four 8-inch guns in sponsons on either side of the bow and stern, and six 6-inch guns in sponsons along the sides.

Secondary armament included four 6-pounder guns, two 3-pounder Hotchkiss revolving cannon, two 1-pounder Hotchkiss revolving cannon, and two .45 caliber Gatling guns.

The Baltimore had 4.5 in gun shields and a 3 in armored conning tower.

The armored deck was up to 4 in on its sloped sides and 2.5 in elsewhere.

The as-built engineering plant included four coal-fired cylindrical boilers producing steam for two horizontal triple expansion engines totaling 10,750 ihp.

Baltimore carried 400 tons of coal for a range of 3,838 nmi at 10 kn.

The ship was also a testbed for a new kind of stockless anchor designed by Herbert O. Dunn.

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She was launched on 6 October 1888 by William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, in Philadelphia.

The construction of this vessel was sponsored by Mrs. Theodore D. Wilson, wife of Chief Constructor Theodore D. Wilson.

Commissioned on 7 January 1890, Captain W. S. Schley was in command.

The USS Baltimore (C-3) was a powerful ship, with four coal-fired boiler units powering two massive 10,500hp horizontal triple expansion engines on two axles.

These engines provided the ship with the speed and maneuverability it needed to perform its duties.

The ship's armament was equally impressive, with four 8" (203 mm) /45 caliber Mark 4 main guns capable of delivering significant firepower.

The secondary armament consisted of six 6" (152 mm) /30 caliber Mark 3 guns, which provided a strong defense against smaller vessels.

In addition to these main and secondary guns, the ship was also equipped with four 6lb (57mm) guns, two 3lb (47mm) guns, and two 1lb (37mm) guns, giving it a layered defense system.

The ship's smaller guns, including two .45 caliber Gatling guns, provided a rapid-fire capability that could be used to target smaller targets or to suppress enemy defenses.

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The USS Baltimore (C-3) has a rich and storied history that spans over three decades. She entered service in Philadelphia, PA on January 7, 1890.

Her first mission was to transport the remains of inventor John Ericsson from New York to Stockholm, Sweden. This was a significant honor for the ship and its crew.

In April 1891, the USS Baltimore joined the South Pacific Squadron to protect American interests during the Chilean Revolution. She played a crucial role in maintaining peace in the region.

The USS Baltimore later served as the flagship of the Asian station from 1893 until her retirement three years later. This marked a significant period of growth and exploration for the ship.

Recommissioned in October 1897, the USS Baltimore sailed to Hawaii until the Spanish-American War in April 1898. She took part in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, showcasing her bravery and skill.

The USS Baltimore retired in May 1903 but continued to serve in various capacities, including as a reserve ship in New York and a receiving ship for Charleston, South Carolina.

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