U.S.S. Olympia Records: Finding Aid mssOlympia
Brooke M. Black
The Huntington Library
May 2022
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: U.S.S. Olympia records
Creator:
Olympia (Cruiser)
Identifier/Call Number: mssOlympia
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1892-1899
Abstract: Records belonging to the U.S.S Olympia, the flagship of the Asiatic Squadron during the Spanish-American War.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
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[Identification of item]. U.S.S. Olympia records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Stan V. Henkels, October 1922.
From the Spanish-American War collection of Captain Roswell Randall Hoes.
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.
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.
Processed by Huntington Library staff. In 2022, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.
Arranged chronologically.
Former call number: mssU.S.S. Olympia records.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Sailors -- United States -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Spanish-American War, 1898 -- Naval operations, American -- Sources
United States -- History, Naval -- To 1900 -- Sources
Military records -- United States -- 19th century
Military records -- United States -- Spanish-American War, 1898
Personnel records -- United States -- 19th century
United States. Naval Force, Asiatic Station -- Personnel records
United States. Navy -- History -- Spanish-American War, 1898 -- Sources
United States. Navy -- Personnel records
United States. Navy -- Sea life -- History -- 19th century -- Source
Hoes, Roswell Randall, 1850-1921
Box 1
U.S.S. Olympia records box 1892-1899
Roll 1-5
Blueprint rolls 1892-1899