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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Oregon (Battleship # 3, BB-3, later IX-22), 1896-1956

USS Oregon, a 11,688-ton Indiana class battleship, was built at San Francisco, California. Commissioned in July 1896, at that time she was the only battleship serving on the U.S. Pacific seaboard. As the Spanish-American War approached, she was ordered to steam around South America to strengthen the forces available in the Atlantic. Upon arrival, Oregon served off Cuba, and had an important role in the Battle of Santiago on 3 July 1898.

In late 1898, Oregon went to the Far East for the first of two tours of duty there that lasted until 1906, when she returned to the U.S. west coast. From 1906 until 1917, she had occasional periods of active service in the eastern Pacific. During the First World War, she guarded the Pacific coast and escorted a troop convoy to Siberia. Decommissioned in 1919, Oregon was loaned to the State of Oregon as a museum ship in 1925 and was later reclassified IX-22.

World War II caused her to be sacrificed for the scrap steel effort, but her hull was retained as an ammunition barge and towed to Guam in 1944. Oregon was finally sold for scrapping in 1956.

This page features several views of USS Oregon and her voyage around South America. It has links to images taken on board the ship.

See the page USS Oregon Onboard and Closeup Views for other pictures of this ship.

If higher resolution reproductions than these digital images are desired, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 61222

USS Oregon (BB-3)


Returning to the U.S. from Cuba, following the Spanish-American War, 1898.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 51,732 bytes; 740 x 564 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 61502

USS Oregon (BB-3)


In New York Harbor just after the end of the Spanish-American War, 1898.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 49,657 bytes; 740 x 408 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 82656

USS Oregon (BB-3)


Photographed in 1898. The original photograph was copyright 1898 by Strohmeyer & Wyman and published on a stereograph card by Underwood & Underwood.

Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN(MSC), 1975.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 61,582 bytes; 587 x 653 pixels

A stereo pair version of this image is available as Photo # NH 82656-A

Online Image: 44,322 bytes; 675 x 360 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 43148

USS Oregon (BB-3)


In New York Harbor for the victory fleet review, August 1898. Photographed by George P. Hall & Son, New York.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 51,736 bytes; 534 x 770 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 61237

USS Oregon (BB-3)


Leaving New York City for Manila, 12 October 1898.

Courtesy of Allan J. Drugan, from the album of Lewis H. Rockey.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 58,035 bytes; 740 x 629 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 78279

USS Raleigh (C-8)
USS Oregon (BB-3)

and
USS Saint Louis (C-20)

Moored together at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, circa 1913.
Saint Louis is being repainted.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1973.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 475 pixels

 


The following images show scenes related to Oregon's 14,000 mile voyage around South America, 19 March to 24 May 1898:

Photo #: NH 62591

USS Oregon (BB-3)


Off San Francisco, California, 19 March 1898, the day she sailed for her 66 day, 14,000 mile voyage around South America to join U.S. forces in the Atlantic.

Courtesy of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 63,016 bytes; 740 x 625 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 79900-KN (Color)

USS Oregon (BB-3)


In the Strait of Magellan, April 1898, while en route to join the fleet assembled for the Spanish-American War.

Colored lithograph, published as the frontispiece of Deeds of Valor by the Perrien-Keydel Co., Detroit, Michigan, 1907.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 73,283 bytes; 780 x 501 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 63514

USS Oregon (BB-3)


Photographic composite, by Allan J. Drugan, depicting her steaming through heavy seas on the way to Cuba in March-May 1898, as described by Captain Charles E. Clark.

Courtesy of Allan J. Drugan, Columbus, Ohio.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 57,983 bytes; 740 x 606 pixels

 

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New picture added 20 November 1998