Description
The Chitose (built 1898; cruiser: Imperial Japanese Navy) photograph album, 1897-1899, (SAFR 23365, P01-026) consists of photographs
showing the construction and launching of CHITOSE at Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California. The collection has been
processed to the Item level and is open for use.
Background
CHITOSE (built 1898; cruiser: Imperial Japanese Navy) was a Japanese naval vessel built by Union Iron Works in San Francisco,
California. The keel was laid May 3, 1897, and she was launched January 22, 1898. At the launching, May Budd, niece of James
Budd, Governor of California, christened the vessel and Gladys Sullivan, niece of James D. Phelan, Mayor of San Francisco,
triggered the signal to release the vessel down the ways. Captain S. Sakuri and Lieutenant Y. Wadagaki of the Imperial Japanese
Navy served as inspectors during the construction. The vessel's first official trial run was conducted in the Santa Barbara
Channel, California, in January 1899. In March, CHITOSE was delivered to the Japanese government. Captain K. Sakuri served
as the vessel's first captain. In 1931, CHITOSE was sunk during use as target practice.