U.S.S. Olympia records, 1892-1899

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Olympia (Cruiser)
Abstract:
Records belonging to the U.S.S Olympia, the flagship of the Asiatic Squadron during the Spanish-American War.
Extent:
1.5 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. U.S.S. Olympia records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Official records and documents of the ship from 1892 to 1899. Included are receipts for transfer of men from the Olympia to other ships and to hospitals; mess assignments; receipts for men returned on board from leaves; inspection and conduct reports; quarterly surveys; expenditure vouchers; captain's orders, and others.

Biographical / historical:

The U.S.S Olympia was the flagship of the Asiatic Squadron during the Spanish-American War. The Olympia was commissioned on February 5, 1895 and sailed from Mare Island to take its position as flagship of the Asiatic Squadron on August 25, 1895, under the command of Captain John J. Read. From 1895 to 1897, the Olympia visited ports in China, Japan, and the Philippines, spending the winter of 1897 in Hong Kong Harbor. On January 3, 1898, George Dewey, the new Squadron commander arrived onboard of the Olympia. When war was declared on April 25, 1898, the Olympia and the rest of the Asiatic Squadron sailed to Mirs Bay and then to the Philippines. On May 1, 1898, it led the Squadron at the Battle of Manila Bay, and then took part in the blockade and capture of Manila. The Olympia remained in active service until 1922, it served in World War I and brought the remains of the American Unknown Soldier back to the United States. In 1957, the Olympia was transferred to the Cruiser Olympia Association, and in January 1996, to the Independence Seaport Museum.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Stan V. Henkels, October 1922.
Custodial history:

From the Spanish-American War collection of Captain Roswell Randall Hoes.

Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff. In 2022, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. U.S.S. Olympia records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Website