1905 US Navy Naval History USN Cruise Book USS Columbia

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[US Naval History] Hiteshaw, Webster, Yeoman, USN. Souvenir of the Cruise of the U.S.S. Columbia Second Rate [-] Complete Itinerary of the Cruise of the United States Cruiser Columbia, "1904 and 1905;" also "Items of Interest" in a condensed form, arranged according to dates 1904-1905, N.P.: privately printed, [1905]. 32 pp. Original printed paper wraps with ornamental string binding. Folio oversize. Some edgwear to cover, gilt faded. Very good. T is a signed original photograph of Yeoman Hiteshaw on the title page. A contemporary newspaper article has been affixed to the first page, the headline reading "Cruiser Columbia Breaks A Record." This article bears the following annotations in the author's handwriting: "This is nearly right except we did not use forced draft and only had six boilers going we had two more boilers yet but not enough crew to man them." This volume is a superlative record of the cruise of the USS Columbia and her crew. T are photographic portraits of all the officers, en masse and individually. Likewise, t are photographs of the enlisted men, the chief petty officers, all grades of petty officers, the marine guard, and the ship's band. Text records include the names and ranks of all men on board, a detailed description of the Columbia, a calendar of all items of interest that occured during the cruise, and the ship's itinerary. Excerpted from the Dictionary of American Fighting Ships:The fourth Columbia (Cruiser No. 12) was launched 26 July 1892 by William Cramp & Sons Ship & Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, Pa.; sponsored by Miss H. Morton; and commissioned 23 April 1894, Captain G. W. Sumner in command. Columbia joined the North Atlantic Squadron, and from 30 July 1894 to 5 January 1895 cruised to protect American interests in the Caribbean. She visited Europe in the summer of 1895 and represented the United States at the ceremonial opening of the Kiel Canal in June. Returning to the east coast in August, she operated in the western Atlantic until going in ordinary, in reserve at Philadelphia Navy Yard 13 May 1897. Recommissioned 15 March 1898 for service in the Spanish-American war Columbia patrolled along the Atlantic coast and in the West Indies until 26 August. She convoyed troops to Puerto Rico and aided in its occupation between July and 14 August. Columbia was decommissioned and placed in reserve at Philadelphia Navy Yard 31 March 1899. Following recommissioning on 31 August 1902 Columbia served as receiving ship at New York and from 9 November 1903 as a part of the Atlantic Training Squadron. Once more out of commission at Philadelphia 3 May 1907 and 22 June 1915 the cruiser then joined the Submarine Flotilla as flagship. After cruising between the various Atlantic submarine bases on inspection tours she was detached 19 April 1917. Columbia patrolled off the Delaware Breakwater from 21 April 1917 as flagship of Squadron 5, Patrol Force until July w she joined the Cruiser Force as a convoy escort. Between 1 January and 13 November 1918 she made five Atlantic escort voyages, protecting the passage of men and supplies for the American Expeditionary Force in France. On her detachment 7 January 1919, she became flagship of Squadron 2, Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet, operating along the east coast and in the Caribbean. She was relieved as flagship on 29 May but continued cruising until decommissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard 29 June 1921. This is an immensely rare and ephemeral piece of naval history. Interestingly enough, it reveals that the Columbia was integrated, and that several African-American seafarers were represented in the ranks of the petty officers. It is certainly one of the first cruise books produced within the service, and will make a remarkable addition to any naval historical collection. An internet search reveals no other copies available for sale. As per the norm, my price is reasonable (just $100), reflecting a commitment to getting good value while giving ebayers a good deal. You a... read more

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