Please Report Any Broken Links Or Trouble You Might Come Across To The Webmaster.
Please Take A Moment To Let Us Know So That We Can Correct Any Problems And Make Your Visit As Enjoyable And As Informative As Possible.

NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive

BB-23 USS MISSISSIPPI

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Echo

Mississippi Class Battleship: Displacement 13,000 Tons, Dimensions, 382'4" (oa) x 77' x 27' (Max)Armament 4 x 12"/45 8 x 8"/45, 8 x 7"/45 12 x 3"/50, 2 21" tt. Armor, 9" Belt, 12" Turrets, 3" Decks, 9" Conning Tower. Machinery, 10,000 HP; 2 vertical, triple expansion engines, 2 screws. Speed, 17 Knots, Crew 744.

Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Cramp, Shipbuilding, Philadelphia, PA., 12 May 1904. Launched 30 September 1905. Commissioned 1 February 1908. Decommissioned & Stricken 21 July 1914.
Fate: Sold to Greece, 21 July 1914 & renamed Kilkis. Sunk by German bombers while moored in Salamis near Athens on 10 April 1941.
Click On Image
For Full Size		 Size Image Description Source
Keel Laying / Commissioning
1904 - 1908
BB-10 Maine
011060		 5.62k A modern battleship, with every part numbered and named, circa 1904.Photo from the Library of Congress. Reproduction Number LC-DIG-ppmsca-58681.
Photo courtesy of loc.gov.
Idaho NR Uncle Sam's New Engines of War.
Battleships Idaho (BB-24) & Mississippi (BB-23) now building. Most formidable of their size in the world. 		Image and text provided by Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN.
Photo from The Saint Paul Globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 05, March 1905, Image 10, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Mississippi NR The powerful battleship Mississippi (BB-23) and her pretty sponsor. Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. & Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, KS.
Photos from the The Washington Times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 30 September 1905, Last City Edition, Image 5 & Insert The Topeka State Journal. (Topeka, Kan.) 1892-1980, 25 September 1905, LAST EDITION, Image 8, by via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi NR THE BATTLESHIP MISSISSIPPI (BB-23) LAUNCHED TODAY, AS SHE-WILL LOOK COMPLETED
NEW BATTLESHIP TO TAKE TO SEA
The Mississippi, Peerless Battleship,Will Be Launched—Excels Others		 Image and text provided by Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN.
Photo from The Minneapolis Journal. 1888-1939, 30 September 1905, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi 46k The Mississippi (BB-23) slides down the launching ramps at the Cramp Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 30 September 1905. Photo courtesy of greatwhitefleet.info, by William Stewart.
BB-23 Mississippi NR NEW BATTLESHIP MISSISSIPPI (BB-23) Image and text provided by University of Utah, Marriott Library.
Photo from Deseret Evening News. (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 14 October 1905, Last Edition, Part Two, Image 13, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi 112k Mississippi (BB-23) fitting out at the Cramp shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1907. Note: Ship's name on stern; & the primer paint on hull seams and incomplete after turret top armor plate and access hatches Text courtesy of Don Wagner.
Naval History and Heritage Command # 19-N-8-18-14.
BB-23 Mississippi 412k Mississippi (BB-23) fitting out at the Cramp shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1907.USN photo # 19-N-8-18-15, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
BB-23 Mississippi NR HEROES DESCENDANTS CHOSEN TO COMMAND COVETED BATTLESHIPS
Winslow and Fremont Named for Mississippi (BB-23) and New Hampshire (BB-25). 		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times.(Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 25 October 1907, Last Edition, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-Mississippi & Idaho 82k Idaho (BB-24) and Mississippi (BB-23) fitting out at the Cramp shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa late 1907 or early 1908. Mississippi, commissioned in February 1908, is presumably the more complete ship, in the center of the photograph. Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 86366, courtesy of Ted Stone, 1977.
BB-24 Idaho 337k Mississippi (BB-23) & Idaho (BB-24) at the Cramp shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 12 September 1908.Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
Review
012313		1.17k Sailors from the Mississippi (BB-23) march on S. Broad St and Spruce St during Founders Week, Military Day parade in Philadelphia, 5 October 1908. The festivities commemorated the 225th anniversary of the founding of Philadelphia with events throughout the city. Photo by William H. Rau courtesy of the personal collection of Steven Craddock.
Review
012339		1.65k Dressed with flags, off Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during Founders' Week, 1908. Note motor launch off the starboard quarter, with Mississippi's (BB-23) name painted on its stern, and the ship's name in large letters atop the after superstructure. march during Founders Week, Military Day parade in Philadelphia, 5 October 1908. USN photo NH-46041 courtesy of history.navy.mil
BB-23 Mississippi 354k 1908 photo, as completed with military masts.USN photo # 19-N-14-9-10, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
BB-23 Mississippi 51k Mississippi (BB-23) as completed, line drawing by A.D. Baker III. Photo and text courtesy of U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman.
BB-23 Mississippi 137k A few Marines await visitors coming inboard the Mississippi (BB-23). Photographed # PR-03-Box-69-5, by William H. Rau, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, courtesy of the Library of Congress & National Museum of the U.S. Navy via flickr.com.
BB-23 Mississippi 579k View looking forward from the ship's port bridge wing, 1908. Note the 12"/45 gun turret with grating hatches open; also winch and capstans, with decorated tops on the latter. An old fortification is in the left distance.
The photograph was taken off Goat Island in the East Passage of Rhode Island's Narraganset Bay. The "old fortification" seen in the distance is Fort Adams. During the early 1900's, the fleet customarily anchored in an area lying from the cove to the left of Fort Adams, to Goat Island and over to downtown Newport's waterfront.		Text courtesy of Dave Fiske, ONI Liaison to Center for Naval Analysis.
Photo by Enrique Muller Jr.
USN photo # 19-N-0008, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
BB-23 Mississippi 573k View on the foredeck, looking aft, with the forward 12"/45 gun turret trained to starboard, 1908. Note: anchor chain and capstans; hatches; bridge structure with ship's bell attached below its forward end.Photo by Enrique Muller Jr.
USN photo # 19-N-60-10-14, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
BB-23 Mississippi 434k Forward deck of the Mississippi (BB-23), turret pointed to starboard. Photo by Enrique Muller Jr.
USN photo # 19-N-60-01-10 & 19-N-60-10-10, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
BB-23 Mississippi 514k View on the after-deck, looking forward, 1908. Note: 12"/45 gun turret; after bridges with stump mainmast, searchlights and 3-pounder guns; winches, hatches and hose reel on the main deck.Photo by Enrique Muller Jr.
USN photo # 19-N-60-10-12, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
BB 23
012354		886k Mississippi (BB-23) dockside, 1909. Photo by courtesy of the personal collection of Steven Craddock.
BB 23
012355		2.92k Crew of the Mississippi (BB-23) backdropped by a score sheet, probably following target practice, 1909. Photo by courtesy of the personal collection of Steven Craddock.
BB 23
012356		832k Musical score entitled Mississippi (BB-23) March for the Pinaforte,. Photo by courtesy of the personal collection of Steven Craddock.
BB 23
012358		3.34k Civillians crowd the pier alongside the Mississippi (BB-23). Photo by courtesy of the personal collection of Steven Craddock.
BB 23
012357		2.86k Civillians in summer dress on a hot sunny day aside the front turret of the Mississippi (BB-23). Photo by courtesy of the personal collection of Steven Craddock.
BB-23 Mississippi NR The ship departed Cuban waters 1 May for a cruise up the river which shared her name, the mighty Mississippi. Calling at the major ports of this great inland waterway, she arrived at Natchez 20 May, and then proceeded 5 days later to Horn Island where she received a silver service from the state of Mississippi.
BATTLESHIP MISSISSIPPI (BB-23), THE FIRST MODERN WAR VESSEL TO NAVIGATE THE FATHER OF WATERS.		 Text courtesy of DANFS.
Image and text provided by Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH.
Photo from The Marion Daily Mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 11 May 1909, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi 871k BREAKS SPEED RECORD BATTLESHIP
Mississippi (BB-23) D0ES 207 MILES IN 14 HOURS.
On the Way to Horn Island, Where Presentation of Silver Service Will Be Made. 		Image and text provided by University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
Photo from The Hickman Courier. (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 03 June 1909, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-31 Utah NR Navy Department Can't Keep Brigham Young And Mormon Temple Off Utah's (BB-31) Silver Service
After all, the magnificent silver service which the state of Utah is to present to the Dreadnought battleship Utah, now nearly completed is to have engraved upon as emblems a likeness of Brigham Young and a picture of the Mormon temple at Salt Lake City. This information is contained in a letter written to Hugh Gordon Miller of New York by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Beekman Winthrop. Mr. Miller recently filed a protest against the Mormon engravings on the Utah's sliver service at the request of the women's Republican clubs of New York City. Mr. Winthrop's letter follows:
Sir—The department to in receipt, by reference from the president, of your letter of a recent date protesting against the acceptance of the silver service presented to the United States steamship Utah by the state of Utah which, it is alleged, to engraved with a picture of Brigham Young - and the Mormon temple and in reply begs to inform you that it does not feel that it can prescribe the pattern or design of- any service; This, it would seem it has no concern in, and in the past such details have always been considered as pertaining to the individual' state. If it be true that the silver service for the Utah has been patterned as your report the department to inclined to the opinion that it would be injudicious and inadvisable to raise any question of issues in which it can be in no wise concerned.
Very respectfully, BEEKMAN WINTHROP. Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
The Utah controversy recalls that which followed the publication - of the action of the state of Mississippi in engraving the picture of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate states, on the silver service presented to the battleship Mississippi (BB-23). All sorts of resolutions and objections were raised to this action on the part of Mississippi, but they had no effect, and the picture of the president of the southern Confederacy is on the plate.		Image and text provided by State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Photo from The Evening Times. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 07 January 1911, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi NR Range Finding Tower on Battleship Mississippi (BB-23). Image and text provided by Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, LA.
Photo from The True Democrat. (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 22 May 1909, Image 7, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi NR BATTLESHIP MISSISSIPPI (BB-23) AT ANCHOR OFF THE NAVY YARD Image and text provided by University of Florida.
Photo from the The Pensacola Journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 29 May 1909, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi 1.10k Mississippi (BB-23) underway, circa 1909, soon after she received a "cage" mainmast. Note that she is still fitted with a bow decoration.Text courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 61241.
National Archives Identifier: 45512772
Local Identifier: 165-WW-335A-36.
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
BB-23 Mississippi 66k Ice in the harbor with the Mississippi (BB-23) between 1908 & 1909. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
BB-23 Mississippi 218k Capt. William Freeland Fullam was the commanding officer of the battleship Mississippi (BB-23) from 12/30/09 to 11/10/11. Photo courtesy of the United States Naval Academy & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
BB 23
012309s		4.51k FINE SILVER SERVICE
To Be Presented to Battleship Mississippi (BB-23) by State.
SHIP G0ES UP RIVER TO NATCHEZ.
Program Contemplates Cruise Up "The Father of Waters" By Its Great Fighting Namesake Jefferson Davis Likeness on Centerpiece		 Image and text provided by Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA.
Photo from Daily Press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 25 April 1909, Image 11, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi 928k Mississippi (BB-23) in the Hudson River for the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, 25 September - 9 October 1909. Photo det 4a16081 courtesy of loc.gov via Detroit Photographic Company.
Hudson- Fulton Celebration 805k Panoramic view of battleships in the Hudson River for the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, 25 September - 9 October 1909. Photo det pan 6a16597 courtesy of loc.gov via Detroit Photographic Company.
BB-23 Mississippi 2.92k Line of battleships up the Hudson River.
Hudson-Fulton Celebration in September 1909. The photo shows the English battle cruiser HMS Inflexible on the left. The Mississippi (BB-23) is to her right. Beyond her is the New Hampshire (BB-25) and the rest of the US battlefleet. Fort Lee, New Jersey is across the river.		Photo i.d. courtesy of Richard M. Jensen.
Photo LC-DIG-det-4a16073 courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
BB 23
012315		871k Dusty sailors pose for a photo after coaling ship, possibly on board the battleship Mississippi (BB-23) between 1905 & 10. USN photo 2016.35.01 courtesy of history.navy.mil
1910's
BB-23 Mississippi 78k At Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1910, shortly after she was fitted with a a cage foremast. Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 77099 photographed by J.W. Dawson.
BB-23 Mississippi 27k Mississippi (BB-23) circa 1910, shortly after she was fitted with a cage mast. Courtesy of Joseph M. Radigan (of blessed memory).
Guantanamo Bay 127k Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Second Regiment of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet at Deer Point Camp, Guantanamo Bay, 13 February 1910. These men are from the battleships Minnesota (BB-22), New Hampshire (BB-25), Mississippi (BB-23) and Idaho (BB-24). The latter's battalion is in the center of the photograph.
Ships in the harbor are mainly battleships, with some auxiliaries and cruisers also present. Newark (C-1), Station Ship at Guantanamo Bay, is in the center background, with a white hull. 		Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 105511. Donation of Truman C. Lane, 1990. Panoramic photograph by American Photo Company, Havana, Cuba.
BB-23 Mississippi 634k Mississippi (BB-23) photographed in New York by Enrique Mueller Jr, 1910. National Archives Identifier: 45512770
Local Identifier: 165-WW-335A-35.
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba62kPanoramic image (made from two individual views), showing U.S. Atlantic Fleet battleships and auxiliaries in Guantanamo Bay, circa the early or middle 1910s.
Ships present include (in left half of image): four Virginia class (BB-13 / 17) battleships, one South Carolina class (BB-26 / 27) battleship, one Delaware class (BB-28 / 29) battleship, two unidentified auxiliaries and a collier; (in right half of image): all six Connecticut class (BB-18 / 22 & 25) battleships, both Mississippi class (BB-23 / 24) battleships, two unidentified auxiliaries, hospital ship Solace (AH-2) and a gunboat. 		Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 104537. Photo from the 1909-1924 album of Vice Admiral Olaf M. Hustvedt, USN (Retired). Courtesy of Rick Hauck, 2006.
BB 23
012300		4.04k Mississippi (BB-23) at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, circa 1911-1913. Note "E" award painted on after 7-inch gun and funnel stripes marking her as the third ship of the Fourth Division, Atlantic Fleet.
The 2 funnelled battleship marking funnel stripes of 2 & 3 stripes across from the Mississippi is most likely a forward view of the Kansas (BB-21).		 USN photo NH-92292 courtesy of history.navy.mil
BB-23 Mississippi 65k Capt. William John Maxwell was the commanding officer of the battleship Mississippi (BB-23) in 1911. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress via Bill Gonyo.
BB-30 FloridaNRDevelopment of Our Navy Told by Models Preserved at Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Among the models shown are the battleship hulls of the Maine, Mississippi (BB-23) & Florida (BB-30).		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 28 January 1912, Image 17, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-22 Minnesota NR United States Marines Going Aboard the Battleships in New York
Extra consignments of marines from the Philadelphia and Brooklyn Navy Yards, happy at the outlook of a possibility of seeing active service, going aboard a navy tug to be taken aboard the waiting battleships Mississippi (BB-23), Missouri (BB-11), Minnesota (BB-22) and Ohio (BB-12), in the middle of the Hudson River, 25 May.
As soon as loaded with extra provisions and munitions of war, the vessels were ordered under full steam to proceed to Hampton Roads, where Rear-Admiral Osterhaus will take command of them and other warships of the Atlantic fleet, and under confidential orders proceed to Key West, Florida, to await further orders, depending entirely upon developments in the negro revolt in Cuba.		Image and text provided by Indiana State Library.
Photo from The Richmond Palladium and Sun-Telegram. (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 28 May 1912, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Various Views of the 1912 Naval Review on the Hudson
Review
012173m		4.51k Mobilization of Atlantic Fleet at New York, 12 - 15 October 1912. Photo courtesy of David Fisher.
Review
012173		1.36k U.S. Battleship Fleet during the 1912 Naval Review on the Hudson.
The nearest ship half visible on the right is the New Hampshire (BB-25) based on the distinctive half-cased stacks. The two sister ships behind her are not clear enough to specifically ID. The fourth ship is one of the Mississippi class, but again, not clear enough to ID.		 Photo i.d. via Richard M. Jensen.
Photo courtesy of David Fisher.
Review
012173d		1.38k Small boats join during the 1912 Naval Review on the Hudson. Photo courtesy of David Fisher.
Almost UnknownNRSCENE OF UNUSUAL BEAUTY WHEN FLEET AND SHORE WERE ILLUMINATED BY MANY THOUSANDS OF FLAMING ELECTRIC BULBS
NEW YORK, Oct. 16—Pen cannot describe and even photography is inadequate in depicting the splendor of the scene at night during the visit of the fleet to this city. Thousands and thousands of electric lights were hung along Riverside drive, which parallels the Hudson river for miles, and all of the vessels in the fleet were outlined by lines of gleaming lamps. In the accompanying picture the soldiers’ and sailors’ monument appears in the foreground with the curved line of Riverside drive at the left. Several battleships are shown in the river, with the lights on the New Jersey shore in the distance. 		Image and text provided by Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH.
Photo by The Democratic Banner.(Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 18 October 1912, Image 1, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Veracruz Incident
U.S. Atlantic Fleet battleships1.15k U.S. Atlantic Fleet battleships steaming toward Mexican waters in 1914. Photograph copyrighted in 1914 by E. Muller, Jr., and Pach.
The following battleships that were dispatched to Mexican waters included the:
Ohio (BB-12), Virginia (BB-13), Nebraska (BB-14), Georgia (BB-15), New Jersey (BB-16), Rhode Island (BB-17), Connecticut (BB-18), Louisiana (BB-19), Vermont (BB-20), Kansas (BB-21), Minnesota (BB-22), Mississippi (BB-23), Idaho (BB-24), New Hampshire (BB-25), South Carolina (BB-26), Michigan (BB-27), Delaware (BB-28), North Dakota (BB-29), Florida (BB-30), Utah (BB-31), Wyoming (BB-32), Arkansas (BB-33), New York (BB-34) & Texas (BB-35).
In insets are (left to right):
Rear Admiral Henry T. Mayo,
Rear Admiral Frank F. Fletcher,
Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger. 		Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 60322.
BB-23 Mississippi 121k Reactivated from the Atlantic Reserve Fleet on 30 December 1913, Mississippi (BB-23), with then Lieutenant Commander Mustin in command, was ordered to proceed in company with the reactivated Orion (AC-11) to Annapolis and Norfolk to embark newly trained navy pilots, enlisted mechanics, aircraft and hanger equipment. After loading, the two vessels proceeded in company to the former site of the old and dilapidated Pensacola Navy Yard (1826-1911) and establish a new Naval Aeronautical Station. Prior to the two ships arrival in Pensacola Bay on 20 January 1914, LCDR Mustin was officially designated as the Navy's Air Pilot #3 - thus, Mississippi was under command of a qualified Naval Aviator. While in Pensacola Bay, Mississippi was designated as the Aeronautical Station Ship, Pensacola and retain that designation until she was duly relieved as the station ship by North Carolina (ACR-12) later in the year. While in Pensacola Bay, LCDR Mustin also wore the hat as the first Commandant, Naval Aeronautical Station, Pensacola (January 1914 - January 1916) which is the present day "Cradle of Naval Aviation" - Naval Air Training Center Pensacola, Florida. Text courtesy of Don Wagner.
Photo courtesy of State Archives of Florida - #RC18993.
BB-23 Mississippi 112k "With orders to embark "one aeroplane section" from the Naval Aeronautical Station, and with LCDR Mustin in command of Mississippi (BB-23), she sailed from Pensacola Bay on 21 April 1914 for Veracruz, Mexico for scouting and observation duties in support of the U. S. forces responding to the crisis. Birmingham (CL-2), with a similar complement of aircraft embarked, simultaneously sailed from Pensacola Bay for assignment in and around the port of Tampico, Mexico.
Shown on Mississippi's port side main deck is a Curtiss "Flying Boat" (designated and numbered AB-3. Secured to the top of the after 12"/.45 caliber twin turret, is the second aircraft of the "section" - a Curtiss pontoon type "Hydroaeroplane"(designated and numbered AH-3).
Note the jerry-rigged boat boom attached to the bulkhead and supported by lines to the "cage mast" (also referred to as a "fighting tower" or "basket mast") for the handling of aircraft to and from the water."		 Text courtesy of Don Wagner.
Official USN photo # 80-G-461428, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Review
012337		4.04k Curtiss Pusher Seaplane used at Vera Cruz. The landing gear was built for installation while en route to Mexico on board the Mississippi (BB-23). This plane was used by Lieutenant P.N. Bellinger, USN. USN photo NH-902874 courtesy of history.navy.mil
BB 23
012360		NRNEW NAVAL AVIATION STATION AND OFFICERS AT PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
The Navy Department has decided to make permanent the recent establishment at the naval station, Pensacola,Fla., of the United States navy aeronautic station, according to an announcement made yesterday by Capt Mark Bristol, on special duty at the Navy Department in connection with aviation. Lieut. Commander H. C. Mustin has been detailed in charge of the station, which includes the old battleship Mississippi (BB-23) as aeronautic ship, and Lieut. John H. Towers will in future be in charge of the flying school of the station. Other officers have been detailed to establish storehouses and repair shops, and the officers who have already become expert fliers are assisting Lieut. Towers in training other officers and men.
Officers at the Station
The commissioned officers now on duty at the aviation base at Pensacola include (left to right); Lieutenant V. D. Herbster, Lieutenant W. M. McIlvain, Lieutenant P. N. L. Bellinger, Lieutenant R. C. Saufley, Lieutenant J. H. Towers, Lieutenant Commander H. C. Mustin, Lieutenant (Army) B. L. Smith, Ensign de Chevalier, and Ensign M. L. Stolz.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 15 March 1914, Image 11, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Review
012359		NRTWO AERIAL CRAFT WHICH UNCLE SAM WILL USE AGAINST MEXICO IF ACTUALY WAR BREAKS OUT
The illustration shows an army hydroplane and an aeroplane at Fort Bliss which is ready to be used for scouting purposes across the border.
There are twelve Qualified "military aviators," but more than a score of men who can fly. The army has fifteen aeroplanes available for use.  The war department refuses to give any information about bomb dropping. The navy aviation corps, now on the way to Mexico, consists of four hydro aeroplanes and full equipment. Two aeroplanes form a "section" in the navy. One section is going aboard the Birmingham (CL-2) and the other aboard the battleship Mississippi (BB-23). Each section is accompanied by three officers, all trained pilots, and ten mechanicians. A section carries hangars, tents for living quarters and other purposes, spare parts and tools. 		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 15 March 1914, Image 11, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi 297k In 1914, during the United States occupation of Veracruz, while flying off the Mississippi (BB-23), Lt. (j.g.) Patrick Nieson Lynch Bellinger became the first American to encounter enemy fire in an airplane, and was recommended for the Medal of Honor. He retired with the rank of vice admiral on 7 July 1947.USN photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
Almost Unknown1.80kNAVAL HYDRO-AEROPLANE ON THE deck of a U.S. battleship.
My guess would be the Mississippi (BB-23).		Photo courtesy of Record Group 165, ARC Identifier 31485797,National Archives Catalog.
BB 23
012361		NRPICTURES SHOWING HOW U. S. NAVY IS PREPARED FOR WAR
Above—Practising sighting with range finders on board the New York (BB-34), the latest addition to the navy, held in readiness at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for possible Mexican service; in centre— H. L. Smith, in his Curtiss airboat flying around the battleship Mississippi (BB-23) at Pensacola harbor. The Mississippi was sent to Mexico with five hydro-aeroplanes and aviators aboard. Below—Bluejackets from the New York tiring given daily shore drill at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to keep them in shape for Mexican service. 		Image and text provided by Rutgers University Libraries.
Photo from Newark Evening Star and Newark Advertiser.[volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 22 April 1914, STATE EDITION, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi NR MARINES LOADING STORES ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP MISSISSIPPI (BB-23) AT THE PENSACOLA NAVY YARD Image and text provided by University of Florida.
Photo from The Pensacola Journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 24 April 1914, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi
012342		2.71k Aeroplane Fleet Now at Veracruz
The battleship Mississippi (BB-23) with a full complement of aeroplanes and equipment, steamed into Veracruz harbor this morning, and before nightfall the American aeroplane corps will be given their first experience in real war: The warship which brought the corps from Key West has joined Rear Admiral Badger's fleet. The military aviators are ready to take up their air scouting, and are but awaiting orders.
Second flight on a warlike mission at Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 1914. Pilot was Lieutenant R.C. Saufley as observer. Plane is a Curtiss "AH" type. Ship is probably Mississippi. Note 13-star "boat" flags on the plane's wing tip struts. 		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by The Washington Times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 24 April 1914, HOME EDITION, Image 2, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Photo #80-G-391981 courtesy of history.navy.mil.
BB-23 Mississippi 1.90k On 25 April, Lieutenant (junior grade) Patrick N.L. Bellinger climbed aboard the AB-3 flying boat and made a reconnaissance over the waters around Veracruz in search of mines that had been reported, thus having the distinction of making the first flight of an American military aircraft under combat conditions. Operating from rustic encampments ashore, the naval aircraft instituted a regular schedule of flights from both Tampico and Veracruz, though the most action came at the latter location.
On 2 May 1914, Bellinger and Ensign W.D. Lamont flew the AH-3 hydroaeroplane in direct support of ground troops when they were called upon to perform aerial reconnaissance near Tejar, Mexico, in search of enemy forces firing at encamped U.S. Marines. Four days later, Bellinger and Lieutenant (junior grade) Richard C. Saufley returned from a mission with bullet holes in the fabric wing of their aircraft, having been taken under fire by Mexican riflemen during a scouting flight. As Bellinger later recounted in an article for National Geographic, the U.S. aircraft carried no weapons and on one of his last flights in Mexico, he decided to exact some measure of revenge on the Mexican forces and grabbed the nearest thing he could find in camp. Thus, he made a bar of soap the first air to ground ordnance dropped from a Navy aircraft. 		Photo & text from April 2009 edition of navalaviationmuseum.org.
AH-3 link is Photo # NH 2275 from the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command via ibiblio.org.
PDF Image and text provided by University of South Carolina; Columbia, SC.
Photo from The Anderson Daily Intelligencer. (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 01 May 1914, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi 68k "Mississippi's (BB-23) assigned Flying Boat AB-3 on the temporary boom. Some of the ship's boats had been removed to allow space for aircraft handling, stowage and maintenance prior to departure from Pensacola's Naval Aeronautical Station for her Veracruz mission that lasted from 24 April - 12 May 1914." Text courtesy of Don Wagner.
Photo from the University of San Diego History Department & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
BB-23 Mississippi 458k Aerial view of the Mississippi (BB-23) circa 1914. US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 2008.104.001, courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-23 Mississippi 427k Bow on view of the Mississippi (BB-23), in 1914, serving as a a station ship at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. She has boilers lit and is belching smoke. A Curtiss Flying Boat can be seen flying overhead. US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 2008.104001.006, courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-23 Mississippi 776k With the Mississippi (BB-23) moored in the background, a shore crane at Naval Aeronautical Air Station Pensacola, Florida, hoists an Curtiss A-2 pusher aircraft out of the water after a crash circa 1914. US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 2008.104.001.013. courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-23 Mississippi 610k With the Mississippi (BB-23) and an unidentified monitor, either Arkansas (M-7), Connecticut (M-8) or Florida (M-9) moored in the background, an early Curtiss flying boat overflies the ships at Naval Air Station Pensacola circa 1914. US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 2008.104.001.012. courtesy of Mike Green.
BB 23
012363		479k Gun crew of the Mississippi (BB-23) ready for action at Veracruz, 1914.
Nebraska (BB-14), New Hampshire (BB-25), Kansas (BB-21), & Louisiana (BB-19) in the distance.		 Photo courtesy of David Wright.
BB-23 Mississippi NR United States Navy Flying Boats at Sea Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 05 July 1914, Image 40, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Kilkis
Mississippi 910k TO SELL BATTLESHIPS IDAHO (BB-24) & MISSISSIPPI (BB-23) GREECE READY TO BUY
Daniels Plans to Build New Dreadnought With the $12,000,000 They Will Bring. 		Image and text provided by The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundation.
Photo from The Evening World. (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 28 May 1914, Image 2,via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Idaho 856k LITTLE OBJECTION TO SALE FOR BIG PRICE OF TWO OBSOLETE BATTLESHIPS.
Forward deck of Mississippi (BB-23). 		Image and text provided by University of Utah, Marriott Library.
Photo from The Ogden Standard. (Ogden City, Utah) 1913-1920, 20 June 1914, 4 P.M. City Edition, Image 4, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi 837k WILSON APPROVES SALE TO GREECE OF TWO BATTLESHIPS
GREEKS ASSURED HIM NO WAR IS CONTEMPLATED		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times.(Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 22 June 1914, HOME EDITION, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Mississippi NR IDAHO (BB-24) AND MISSISSIPPI (BB-23), BATTLESHIPS UNCLE SAM PROPOSES TO SELL TO GREECE Image and text provided by Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT.
Photo from The Bridgeport Evening Farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 25 June 1914, Image 15,via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23 Mississippi NR GREECE PAYS FOR TWO U.S. BATTLESHIPS
Secretary Daniels Receiving $12,535,275 check for the Idaho (BB-24) and the Mississippi (BB-23).		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 10 July 1914, Image 4, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Mississippi 829k Greeks & Turks in Race for Navy
READY TO SPRING AT EACH OTHERS THROAT.
150,000 Hellenes Driven From Home
Each Nation Ordering Dreadnoughts as Fast as Money Can Buy Them.
Pictured here is the battleship Mississippi (BB-23). 		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Herald. (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 19 July 1914, Page 7, Image 8,via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Mississippi NR Ex-American warships may see action. Greece's "petticoat" soldiers called out.
Pictured below is the Kilkis, the ex-Mississippi (BB-23). 		Image and text provided by University of Utah, Marriott Library.
Photo from The Logan Republican. (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 09 October 1915, Image 6,via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-24 Idaho NR STRIPPED OF GUNS, TWO FORMER AMERICAN SHIPS ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM GREEK KING
The entente allies have taken over the Greek battleships Kilkis and Lemnos, which were formerly the United States battleships Idaho (BB-24) and Mississippi (BB-23), respectively, and also the battleship Averof, says another Reuters dispatch.		 Image and text provided by Oklahoma Historical Society.
Photo from The Daily Ardmoreite.(Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 17 October 1916, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-23
012320a		 981k Model of the Kilkis by Karl Lautenschlager, circa 1974.Photo courtesy of history.navy.mil.
BB-23 Mississippi 42k Now as the Kilkis, the ex-Mississippi (BB-23) appears here in 1922. Photo courtesy of Robert Hurst.
BB-23 Mississippi 52k The Kilkis, the ex-Mississippi (BB-23) appears here at Malta, date unknown. Photo courtesy of Robert Hurst & Lee Wetherhorn.
BB-23 Mississippi 57k Greek battleship, either Kilkis or Lemnos. Photographed in a U.S. port. Kilkis was the former Mississippi (BB-23). Lemnos was originally Idaho (BB-24). Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 77442.
All Greek 527k A very rare photo of all the 3 last Greek battleships together. Place and time unknown, probably between 1927 and 1931, the year that Kilkis pulled out of service. From left, battlecruiser Averof, in the middle probably Kilkis, at right probably Lemnos.
Averof is known as a Battleship in Greece, although she is only an armored cruiser, because of her excellent performance against real Turkish battleships, on Greek-Ottoman war of 1912-1913. She exists as a restored naval museum after surviving two World Wars and anchored on Palaio Faliro Naval museum, Athens, Greece. 		Official Photo from Averof archive, courtesy of Andreou Manolis.
Review
012362		1.41k Royal Hellenic Navy battleship Kilkis, possibly just off Senglea, in the Grand Harbour, Malta in late 1917 or early 1918. Photo courtesy of flickr.com
All Greek 896k Kilkis in color, probably in Malta. Official Photo from Averof archive, courtesy of Andreou Manolis.
BB-23 Mississippi 89k Under attack by German JU 87 dive bombers, at the Greek naval base at Salamis, 23 April 1941. In the lower left, in the floating drydock, is the destroyer Vasilefs Georgios. Kilkis, the former Mississippi (BB-23), was sunk in this attack. The floating dock and destroyer were also sunk (reportedly on 20 April ?), but Vasilefs Georgios was subsequently raised and placed in service by the German Navy as Hermes (ZG-3). Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 54431 photograph and some caption information were provided by Franz Selinger.
BB-23 Mississippi 74k Greek battleships Kilkis and Lemnos. Sunk in the basin of the Greek naval base at Salamis after they were hit by German air attacks on 23 April 1941. Seen from the harbor pier following the arrival of the German army. Kilkis, the former Mississippi (BB-23), is in the foreground. Lemnos, ex-Idaho (BB-24), is in the distance, with her guns removed. Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 77470 / German Army.
BB-23 Mississippi 93k Greek battleship Kilkis sunk at Salamis, Greece, 1941. Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 54430 / German Army.
BB-23 Mississippi 58k Color photo of the Greek battleship Kilkis, looking from the bow on at her sunk at her mooring at Salamis, Greece, 1941. Photo courtesy of Robert Hurst from Purnells History of the Second World War.
BB-23 Mississippi 201k Figurehead of the Battleship Mississippi (BB-23), presented to the State of Mississippi By the U.S. Navy Department December 1909. The marker is located in Jackson, Mississippi. Photo & text by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
BB-23 Mississippi 170k The bell of the Mississippi (BB-23) was used on three ships named for the state, it was donated to Rosalie Mansion and its owners, the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is proudly displayed in the gardens at Rosalie Mansion, on the site of Fort Rosalie overlooking the Mississippi River. Visitors are allowed to ring the bell with the attached pull rope. Photo & text by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Commanding Officers
01CAPT. Fremont, John Charles, USN (USNA 1872)01.02.1908 - 30.12.1909
02CAPT. Fullam, William Freeland, USN (USNA 1877) :RADM30.12.1909 - 10.11.1911
03CAPT. Maxwell, William John, USN (USNA 1880)10.11.1911 - 00.00.1912
04LCDR. Roper, Walter Gordon, USN (USNA 1898)00.00.1912 - 31.12.1913
05LCDR. Mustin, Henry Croskey (Rum), USN (USNA 1896)31.12.1913 - 21.07.1914
Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler
Additional Mississippi Images
2 General Views Of Mississippi From The Library Of Congress Server.
USS MISSISSIPPI BB-23 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The Hazegray & Underway Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Not Applicable To This Ship
Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Battleship Pages By Andrew Toppan.
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Battleship Photo Index Page

This page is created and maintained by Michael Mohl
All Pages © 1996 - 2024, by Paul R. Yarnall NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.