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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS ST. LOUIS/LOUISVILLE (Auxiliary Cruiser)

CLASS - N/A
Displacement 14,910 Tons, Dimensions, 554' (oa) x 63' x 30' (Max)
Armament 4 x 5", 8 x 6-pdrs.
Armor, n/a
Machinery, Six double ended, four single ended and one auxiliary boiler,
two 10,000hp vertical quadruple expansion steam engines, two shafts.
Speed, 20 Knots, Crew 377.
Operational and Building Data
Launched 12 NOV 1894 by the William Cramp & Sons Building & Engine Company, Philadelphia, PA
Chartered for Naval Service on 22 APR 1898
Commissioned 24 APR 1898
Decommissioned 02 SEP 1898
Returned to merchant service with the American Lines
Acquired by the US Navy and renamed Louisville (ID-1644)
Commissioned 24 APR 1918
Decommissioned 09 SEP 1919
Returned to original owner on 11 SEP 1919 and renamed St. Louis
Fate: Scuttled after an out-of-control fire broke out while in the Shipyard JAN 1920. Sold for scrap in 1925 to an Italian Salvage Company.
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Sampson Medal - Spanish Campaign Medal - World War I Victory Medal w/ARMED GUARD Clasp

Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
St. Paul
stlouis225
633k

Aft view of six-cylinder quadruple expansion engines being prepared for installation in St. Louis.

American Engineer and Railroad Journal, Vol. LXIX, No. 7, 1895

Tom Bateman
St. Paul
stlouis226
626k

Forward view of six-cylinder quadruple expansion engines being prepared for installation in St. Louis.

American Engineer and Railroad Journal, Vol. LXIX, No. 7, 1895

Tom Bateman
St Louis. 79k S.S. Saint Louis (American Passenger Liner, 1895) - Halftone reproduction of an artwork, published while the ship was under construction at the William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This ship served as USS St. Louis in 1898 and as USS Louisville (ID # 1644) in 1918-1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 51425.

USNHC
St Louis. 112k S.S. Saint Louis (American Passenger Liner, 1895) - Fine screen halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in 1898 at the time of the Spanish-American War. It was probably taken at the time of her completion, circa 1895, while St. Louis was off the shipyard of her builder, the William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This ship was USS St. Louis in 1898 and USS Louisville (ID # 1644) in 1918-1919. The ship fitting out in the left background is either USS Indiana (BB-1) or USS Massachusetts (BB-2), both of which were built by Cramp.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 51427.

USNHC
St. Paul
stlouis227
209k

An undated picture of the Auxiliary Cruiser USS St. Louis at anchor.

USN Photo

Robert Hurst
St Louis. 72k

USS St. Louis (1898) Photographed during the Spanish-American War. Note that, though in U.S. Navy service, this ship remains in her civilian paint scheme. Courtesy of Rear Admiral H.C. Taylor.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 51428.

USNHC
St Louis.
stlouis222
78k Halftone photograph, published in the book "War in Cuba", 1898, showing U.S. Light House Tender Suwanee underway off Siboney, Cuba, during the Spanish-American War. Among the ships in the background are USS St. Louis (left) and USS Vixen (right).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 85649.

Robert Hurst
St Louis.
stlouis206
NR The Big Spanish Liner Antonio Lopez, Ashore Near San Juan, Porto Rico, Became a Target for the Auxiliary Cruisers USS St. Louis and USS St. Paul. Two Spanish Gunboats Take a Hand With But Little Effect. Image and text provided by University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA.
Photo from The San Francisco Call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 01 July 1898, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
St Louis. 57k USS St. Louis (1898) at anchor off the south coast of Cuba, June 1898. Photograph printed by Henry Kahn & Company, 642 Market Street, San Francisco, California. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Captain Cyrus R. Miller, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103118..

USNHC
St Louis.
stlouis223
NR HOT NIGHT ON A TRANSPORT AT SEA.
THE INVASION OF PUERTO RICO. TROOPS SLEEPING ON DECK OF THE USS ST. LOUIS
After a Drawing by T. Dart Walker. Reproduced from Harper's Weekly. By Permission. Copyright, 1898, by Harper & Brothers
Image and text provided by Wisconsin Historical Society.
Photo from Iowa County Democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 01 September 1898, Image 6, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
St Louis. 88k S.S. St. Louis (American Passenger Liner, 1895) - Photographed in 1917, while operating as a troop transport. She is painted in Mackay type camouflage. This ship became USS Louisville (ID # 1644) in April 1918.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-7572.

National Archives
St Louis. 71k S.S. St. Louis (American Passenger Liner, 1895) starboard waist gun (five-inch?), photographed during a trans-Atlantic passage to Liverpool, England, 19-27 December 1917. This ship, operating as a civilian troopship at the time of this photograph, became USS Louisville (ID # 1644) in April 1918. Collection of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) A. Alvin Booth, USNRF.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 89499.

USNHC
St Louis. 73k S.S. St. Louis (American Passenger Liner, 1895) photographed during the winter of 1917-1918, while operating as a troop transport. Note ice on the harbor surface. St. Louis had recently been repainted in pattern camouflage. She became USS Louisville (ID # 1644) in April 1918 and received another camouflage scheme in the early summer of that year.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-7573.

National Archives
St Louis. 103k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) in port at New York City on 6 July 1918, with tugs President and Edward S. Atwood alongside her bow. This view, showing the ship's newly applied "dazzle" camouflage scheme, was taken by the New York Navy Yard.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 51431.

USNHC
St Louis. 76k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) in port at New York City on 6 July 1918. This view, showing the ship's newly applied "dazzle" camouflage scheme, was taken by the New York Navy Yard. The ship's civilian name, St. Louis, still appears on her lifeboats.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 51430.

USNHC
St Louis. 58k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken in 1918, while the ship was painted in World War I pattern camouflage. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103059.

USNHC
St Louis. 92k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1918, looking along the ship's promenade deck. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103060.

USNHC
St Louis. 87k USS Louisville (ID # 1644)

Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1918, showing the ship's Ward Room with tables set for a meal. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103061.

USNHC
St Louis. 78k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1918, showing the ship's Officers' Lounge. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103062.

USNHC
St Louis. 91k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1918, showing the ship's Upper Galley. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103063.

USNHC
St Louis. 107k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1918, showing the ship's Enlisted Men's Mess Hall. Note the pipe organ and fancy decor. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103064.

USNHC
St Louis. 92k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1918, showing the ship's Enlisted Men's Mess Hall. Note the pipe organ and fancy decor. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103064.

USNHC
St Louis. 87k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1918, showing a scene in the ship's Chief Petty Officers' Quarters, with tables set for a meal. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103066.

USNHC
St Louis. 81k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1918, showing a scene in the ship's medical Operating Room. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103067.

USNHC
St Louis. 83k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1918, looking aft from the ship's port bridge wing along her Boat Deck. The original image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board USS Louisville. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103068.

USNHC
St Louis.
stlouis230
1.24k The transporter cruiserUSS Louisville (ID # 1644) docking, 20 January, 1919.
Photographer: Western Newspaper Union.
National Archives Identifier: 26433683
Local Identifier: 165-WW-139A-27
Photo courtesy of National Archives
St Louis.
stlouis228
1.39k Colored Troops - 351st Field Artillery Colored Troops on the Deck of the USS Louisville (ID # 1644), 17 February, 1919. Part of Squadron "A" 351st Artillery. These men are mostly from Pennsylvania.
Photographer: Western Newspaper Union.
National Archives Identifier: 26431268
Local Identifier: 165-WW-127A-2
Photo courtesy of National Archives
St Louis.
stlouis218
768k Broadside view of the USS Louisville (ID # 1644) in 1919.
Photographer: Enrique Mueller Jr.
National Archives Identifier: 55242076
Local Identifier: 111-SC-41475
Photo courtesy of National Archives
St Louis.
stlouis222
80k USS Louisville (ID # 1644) - In port, 1919. The original image was printed on postal card ("AZO") stock.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 103456.

Robert Hurst

USS ST. LOUIS/LOUISVILLE 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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