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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS MILWAUKEE (Cruiser No. 21)


     

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: Nan - King - Able
(Contributed by John Spivey)


CLASS - ST. LOUIS
Displacement 9,700 Tons, Dimensions, 426' 6" (oa) x 66' x 25' 6" (Max)
Armament 14 x 6"/50, 18 x 3"/50
Armor, 4" Belt, 4" Shields, 3" Deck, 5" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 21,000 IHP; 2 Vertical, Inverted, Triple Expansion Engines, 2 screws
Speed, 22 Knots, Crew 670.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 30 JULY 1902 by Union Iron Works, San Francisco, CA
Launched 10 SEP 1904
Commissioned 10 DEC 1906
Decommissioned 03 MAY 1910
Commissioned 17 JUN 1913
Stranded at Samoa Beach off Eureka, CA 13 JAN 1917.
Decommissioned 6 MAR 1917
Stricken 23 JUN 1919
Fate: Sold as scrap on 5 AUG 1919.
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Mexican Service Medal

Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Milwaukee
c2121
NR MISS MITCHELL AND MISS JEFFREY CHOSEN TO LAUNCH THE MILWAUKEE
One Will Name the New Cruiser and the Other Will Send the Great Mass of Steel Down the Ways.
TWO FAIR MAIDENS. ONE FROM THE WISCONSIN METROPOLIS. THE OTHER A NATIVE DAUGHTER OF CALIFORNIA WILL PLAY LEADING ROLES IN THE LAUNCHING OF UNCLE SAM'S NEW CRUISER MILWAUKEE AT THE UNION IRON WORKS DURING KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CONCLAVE WEEK

Miss Janet Mitchell, daughter of U.S. Senator John L. Mitchell of Wisconsin, was one of 12 children, her brother was U.S. Army Major General William Lendrum "Billy" Mitchell, is considered the father of the United States Air Force, and the namesake of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Image and text provided by University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA.
Photo from The San Francisco Call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 27 August 1904, Image 9 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Milwaukee
c2146
NR Cruiser Milwaukee, Latest Addition to Pacific Fleet, Christened by Pretty Miss Janet Mitchell. Image and text provided by University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA.
Photo from The San Francisco Call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 11 September 1904, Image 37 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Milwaukee 148k

The main engines of USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21), photographed prior to installation, at the Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California, in December 1904. These two engines produced a total of 21,000 horsepower. Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1971. The original print is in the Union Iron Works scrapbook, Volume II, page 178.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 75177.

USNHC
Milwaukee 1.03k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) running machinery trials, circa 1906, prior to the installation of her guns.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 66731.

USNHC
Milwaukee 108k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) On trials in San Francisco Bay, California, circa 1906. The quarantine ship Omaha is partially visible in the right distance. Courtesy of Mrs. Worth Sprunt, 1974, from the Collection of Rear Admiral B.F. Hutchison, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 81436.

Fred Weiss/Robert Hurst//USNHC
Milwaukee 80k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, circa late 1907. The cruiser moored in the stream at right is either USS Cincinnati (Cruiser No. 7) or USS Raleigh (Cruiser No. 8), both of which were placed out of commission at Mare Island in October 1907. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Radio Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 99356.

USNHC
Milwaukee 94k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) In port, probably at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, circa 1907. USS Buffalo is partially visible at right. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Radio Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 99355.

USNHC
Milwaukee 91k

Three cruisers at the Mare Island Navy Yard, circa late 1907. USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) is tied up along the seawall, at left, with (probably) USS South Dakota (Armored Cruiser No. 9) tied up outboard of her. The ship in the stream is probably USS California (Armored Cruiser No. 6). Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Radio Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 99357.

USNHC
Milwaukee 100k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Photographed circa 1906-1908.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 63592.

Mike Green/USNHC
Milwaukee 824k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, circa 1908. Photographed by O.T. Frasch. Despite the inscription on the original postal card, this ship is definitely not USS St. Louis (Cruiser No. 20). Donated by USS Parsons (DD 949), 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 86811.

USNHC

Milwaukee
c2156

Milwaukee
c2157

16k

 

 

19k

This is the picture of my father's uncle, Edward Saunders. He sent my great-grandmother a post card about going to the World's Fair with his new bride. The postcard is dated September 26, 1909. In the postcard it says that he and his friends called themselves the Glad Bunch. (Two other shipmates are pictured.) . Lillie Lindsay
Milwaukee 83k In Drydock #2, Puget Sound Naval Yard. 1 June 1913. USN
Milwaukee
c2128
NR MILWAUKEE MAY LEAVE HONOLULU SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
Militia and service officers to sights of Oahu. Upper left hand picture, reading left to right: Lieut Surgeon A. K. Scott, Ensign Spooner, Lieut. T. F. Keeley, Paymaster A. P. Capron Chaplain J. Richard Olson. Center picture shows Col. Samuel White of adjutant-general's department of Washington; below Captain W. B. Allison, executive head of Washington; lower picture Captain J. M. Reeves of Milwaukee. Upper right hand picture, reading left to right: Ensign A. Marcus, Ensign R. C. Lee, Lieut C. M. Jamea, Lieut Commartier B. T. Bulmer, "Bosun' C. Ken and Machinist J. J. Coyle. The left and right hand pictures show officers and band men about to leave on a round island trip.
Image and text provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI.
Photo from Honolulu Star-Bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 10 July 1914, 3:30 Edition, Image 1 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Milwaukee 1.91k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) in drydock at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916.

catalog.archives.gov

catalog.archives.gov
Milwaukee 48k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Off San Francisco, California, circa 1915. Donation of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN (Medical Corps), 1931.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46134.

USNHC
Milwaukee
c2150
NR UNITED STATES DESTROYERS MAKE TEST OF "SMOKE SCREEN" IN MANEUVERS OFF PACIFIC COAST IN EFFORT TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVE DEFENSE OP WARSHIPS FROM SUBMARINE ATTACKS
In the "naval practice off San Pedro, Cal. this week, the cruiser Milwaukee and the Torpedo Boat Tender Iris will be attacked by three submarines, while four destroyers will attempt to blanket the latter with such a cloud of smoke, as illustrated in this picture, that the submersibles will be unable to see how to fire their torpedoes.
Image and text provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA.
Photo from Evening Public Ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 15 April 1916, Postscript Edition, Image 22 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Milwaukee 110k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) 3"/50 gun battery on the port side of the ship's upper deck, at frame numbers 29 to 32. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46143.

USNHC
Milwaukee 95k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) 3"/50 gun on the port side of the ship's upper deck, at frame numbers 29 to 32. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916. Note the Navy Yard buildings in the background.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46148.

USNHC
Milwaukee 85k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Foundry on the ship's upperdeck, amidships at frame numbers 58 to 64. View looks aft. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916. Note the corrugated iron sides and roof of this structure.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46144.

USNHC
Milwaukee 119k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Interior of the foundry located on the ship's upper deck, amidships at frame numbers 58 to 64. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916. Note the corrugated iron sides and roof of this structure, and its wooden frame work.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46145.

USNHC
Milwaukee 126k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Storeroom located on the ship's main deck, amidships between frame numbers 57 and 64. View looks athwart-ships. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916. Note the steel mesh surrounding this space, and the six-inch projectile rack at right.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46146.

USNHC
Milwaukee 126k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Storeroom on the ship's port side main deck, between frame numbers 72 and 84, looking aft. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916. Note the steel stock stowed in a rack inside the space.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46138.

USNHC
Milwaukee 107k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Storeroom on the ship's starboard side main deck, between frame numbers 72 and 84, looking aft. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46139.

USNHC
Milwaukee 91k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Carpenter shop on the starboard side of the gun deck, at frame numbers 12 to 27. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916. Note the electric drill press at left.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46142.

USNHC
Milwaukee 125k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Machine shop on the starboard side of the gun deck, at frame numbers 27 to 35. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916. Note the planing machine in the foreground, and leather power transmission belts.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46141.

USNHC
Milwaukee 105k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Machine shop located on the port side of the ship's gun deck, at frame numbers 27 to 38. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46147.

USNHC
Milwaukee 119k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Ship's pay office, located on the starboard side of her berth deck at frame numbers 90 to 94. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916. Note differing style of chairs, wire document baskets, leather waste paper receptacle and fancy light fixture.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46137.

USNHC
Milwaukee 102k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Ship's dental office, located on the port side of the berth deck at frame numbers 15 to 20. Photographed at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 27 April 1916. Note the dental treatment chair in the foreground, and the electric fan on the desk in the left background.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46140.

USNHC
Milwaukee 78k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) Underway off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 29 April 1916.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46136.

USNHC
Milwaukee 85k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) stranded at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917, as crewmen are brought ashore by breeches buoy. The ship appears to be valving steam from her after two smokestacks. Note the size of the tree trunk in the foreground. Donation of Rear Admiral Ammen C. Farenholt, USN (Medical Corps), 1931.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46149

USNHC
Milwaukee 64k

Sailors haul in men via breeches buoy as the crew of USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) abandons ship after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46155

USNHC
Milwaukee 92k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) stranded and broadside to the surf, at Samoa Beach, California, 13 January 1917. Two boats are offshore, attempting to assist in removing the cruiser's crew, many of whom are visible standing on her foredeck and superstructure. Milwaukee had gone ashore while attempting to salvage the grounded submarine H 3. Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, CA. Photograph received from the U.S. Naval Library, Treasure Island, California, 1969.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46155

USNHC
Milwaukee
c2155
38k Surfboat approaching the beach, during rescue operations just after USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, 13 January 1917. Robert M. Cieri
Milwaukee 82k

Surfboat broaches in the heavy Pacific surf, during rescue operations just after USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, 13 January 1917.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46160

USNHC
Milwaukee 79k

U.S. Coast Guard surfboat in action, during the removal of crewmen from USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) after she was wrecked at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, 13 January 1917. Note the large number of men standing on the grounded cruiser's decks.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46156

USNHC
Milwaukee 58k

Rescue operations in progress just after USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917. Note the boat between ship and shore, and the large number of men on the wrecked cruiser's decks. Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, CA.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46157.

USNHC
Milwaukee 109k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) stranded at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California. She had gone aground on 13 January 1917 while attempting to salvage the grounded submarine H 3. This photograph was taken soon after her crew had been brought ashore. Note that her flag is still flying from her mainmast.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 60652.

USNHC
Milwaukee 68k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) stranded at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917, probably just after all of her crew had been brought ashore. Photographed from the dunes behind the beach by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, CA.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46153.

USNHC
Milwaukee 82k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) stranded at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917, probably just after all of her crew had been brought ashore. Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, CA.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46152.

USNHC
Milwaukee 88k

USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) stranded at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, soon after she went aground on 13 January 1917. A whaleboat is alongside her port quarter, and a few men are visible on her main deck above the boat.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46151.

USNHC
Milwaukee 88k Postcard of USS Milwaukee stranded on Samoa Beach, 13 January 1917. Note the ensign is still flying on the after mast. Robert M. Cieri
Milwaukee 87k Postcard of USS Milwaukee stranded on Samoa Beach, 13 January 1917. Robert M. Cieri
Milwaukee 111k Postcard of USS Milwaukee stranded on Samoa Beach, 13 January 1917. Robert M. Cieri
Milwaukee 92k Postcard of USS Milwaukee stranded on Samoa Beach, 13 January 1917. Robert M. Cieri
Milwaukee
c2148
NR WRECKS OF THE SUBMARINE H-3 AND IN THE DISTANCE THE CRUISER MILWAUKEE, WHICH STRANDED IN TRYING TO HELP THE LITTLE BOAT OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA. Image and text provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA.
Photo from Evening Public Ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 23 January 1917, Night Extra, Image 16 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Milwaukee 128k Postcard of USS Milwaukee stranded on Samoa Beach, 8 March 1917. Note the pier being built to facilitate salvage of the Milwaukee. Robert M. Cieri
Milwaukee 106k Postcard of USS Milwaukee stranded on Samoa Beach, 19 March 1917. The pier appears to have been completed and the ensign struck. Robert M. Cieri
Milwaukee 117k Postcard of USS Milwaukee stranded on Samoa Beach, 19 March 1917. Robert M. Cieri
Milwaukee 136k

Waves breaking over the wrecked cruiser's boat deck on 29 April 1919, more than two years after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917. This view looks aft along the ship's starboard (seaward) side. Note the collapsed deck by the ventilator cowls, where the ship's hull had split apart. Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46161.

USNHC
Milwaukee 136k

Waves breaking over the wrecked cruiser's forecastle on 29 April 1919, more than two years after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917. This view looks forward from the ship's bridge. Note marine growth on her wooden main deck, and foundation for her forward 6"/50 gun (in the lower right center). The gun had been removed during salvage operations. Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, CA.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.. NH 46162.

USNHC
Milwaukee 88k

Split in the the wrecked cruiser's hull and superstructure, just aft of amidships. Taken on 29 April 1919, more than two years after Milwaukee went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917. Note separation of armor plates, rivet holes in structural plating, and port for a 3"/50 gun. Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, CA.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46163.

USNHC
Milwaukee 140k

Looking aft from the wrecked cruiser's starboard bridge on 29 April 1919, more than two years after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917. This view shows conditions on Milwaukee's boat deck, and the pier used by salvagers to remove guns and equipment from the ship. Note cowl ventilators, coal scuttles on the deck, empty gun positions, and the separation in the deck just aft of amidships where the ship's hull had broken. Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, CA.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46164.

USNHC
Milwaukee
c2115
NR THE LAST of the United States cruiser Milwaukee, breaking up in the waters of the Pacific off California. The warshp ran ashore last year during a heavy storm. Only after many months of pounding is the stanchly built vessel giving way. Image and text provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA.
Photo from Evening Public Ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 21 June 1919, Night Extra, Image 24 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Milwaukee 76k

After portion of the cruiser's wreck, taken on 29 April 1919, more than two years after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917. Note the pier used by salvagers to remove guns and equipment from the ship, and the degree that she had settled since going ashore. Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, CA.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46165.

USNHC
Milwaukee 61k

Pier used by salvagers to remove the ship's guns and equipment, with the wreck cruiser's stern visible at left. Taken on 29 April 1919, more than two years after Milwaukee went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917. Note broken piles below the pier deck, an indication of the power of the Pacific Coast surf. Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. NH 46167.

USNHC
Milwaukee 337k The remains of the USS Milwaukee (Cruiser No. 21) at Samoa beach during a -2.2 foot tide, taken on 4 June 2004. The photo appeared in the Eureka, CA newspaper "Times-Standard" on 5 June 2004. Darryl Baker

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Class Final Rank Dates
Gove, Charles Augustus, CDR 1876   12/10/1906 -
Rogers, Charles Custis, CDR 1876   06/12/1908
Eberle, Edward Walter, CDR 1885 ADM 01/21/1910 - 05/03/1910
Decommissioned     05/03/1910 - 06/17/1913
Reeves, Joseph Mason (Bull), CDR 1894 ADM 06/24/1914 - 09/10/1915
Kail, Arthur Clifton, LT     09/10/1915 - 10/16/1915
Simons, Manley Hale, LCDR 1901 RADM 10/16/1915 - 1916
Newton, William Flewellen, LT 1906   06/29/1916 - 03/06/1917

(Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)


USS MILWAUKEE (Cruiser No. 21) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Not Applicable To This Ship

Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Cruiser Pages By Andrew Toppan.
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