1917 U.S. Navy's Battleship Force

You might have noticed the picture in the background of this blog. This is a 1917 picture of one of the U.S. Navy's divisions in its "Battleship Force" in Hampton Roads. The lead ship at right is the battleship USS New York (BB-34). Other ships in the picture are believed to be USS Nevada (BB-36), USS Delaware (BB-28), USS Wyoming (BB-32), and USS Florida (BB-30). (USS Texas (BB-35) and USS Arkansas (BB-33) are other possibilities. Any help in identifying the vessels would be most appreciated.)

This battleship division was one of four such units in the U.S. Navy. These divisions made up the bulk of the Fleet's firepower and were the pride of the Navy. The ships rotated between Hampton Roads, New York, and various training grounds in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With the Navy considering a place for its first ever “Operating Base” in 1917, it was pictures like this that demonstrated why Hampton Roads was ultimately chosen. The harbor was able to handle several of the largest ships in the fleet with plenty of maneuvering room.

The Band is Here! USS New York Musicians Heading Out to Sea

While coxswains hold their steam launches fast to the dock, U.S. Marine Corps musicians from the armored cruiser USS New York (ACR-2) carefully board them near the Chamberlain Hotel (on the northeastern shore of Hampton Roads, next to Fort Monroe), 1893 Notice that musicians are wearing a "Pickelhelm" style cover and grey coats. Also notice the script "NY" on the launches indicating that they belong to New York.

Thanksgiving at Sea

Posted here are two Thanksgiving Day menus from locally based warships during World War II.  The first two images are from the battleship USS New York (BB-34), which was serving as a gunnery training vessel in the Chesapeake Bay at the time. The second menu is from the hard working destroyer USS Livermore (DD-429), which was in dry dock at the time recovering from damage suffered during the invasion of southern France.  The destroyer also participated in the Anzio landings and escorted several convoys between Hampton Roads and North Africa.

Bow Ornament Armored Cruiser New York

One of the most magnificent artifacts (and most certainly the largest) at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum is the bow ornament from the armored cruiser USS New York(ACR-2). The new steel hulled American warships built between the 1880s and early 1900s revitalized the Age of Sail tradition of bow ornaments. These ornaments were almost always used some type of patriotic/nationalist theme to them, typically with the American flag on a shield with gold trimmings around it.

But even by the day's standard, New York's ornament was extravagant. Notice the large gold eagle, mythical figures of Neptune and his court, Lady Justice is one side, Lady Liberty is on the other, and the large ribbon at the bottom with the word "EXCELSIOR" (the motto for the state of New York) written on it. The entire ornament was carved out of wood and is in remarkable shape considering New York's long service (over 40 years). Picture below is the cruiser with the ornament attahced.

Calling Card of USS New York (ACR-2)

This is a "calling card" produced by the sailors of the Norfolk-based armored cruiser USS New York (ACR-2) during the Spanish-American War. "Sampson" refers to Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, nominal commanding officer of the North Atlantic Squadron.