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Gunboat Photo Archive

Bennington (Gunboat No. 4)

Call sign (1909):
Nan - Cast - Love

Yorktown Class Gunboat:

The first Bennington was laid down in June 1888 by N. F. Palmer and Co., Chester, PA

Completed 15 May 1889

Launched 3 June 1890

Commissioned 20 June 1891

Decommissioned 5 September 1901 at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA

Recommissioned 2 March 1902

Damaged beyond economical repair by boiler explosion, 21 July 1905 at San Diego, CA

Decommissioned 31 October 1905

Converted to a barge in 1906

Struck from the Navy list 10 September 1910

Sold for scrap 14 November 1910

However, she was not scrapped but sold in 1912 to the Matson Line for use as a molasses barge

Sold to the Inter Island Steamship Co.and towed to Honolulu for use as a water barge

Scuttled 19 January 1924 off Oahu .

Specifications:

Displacement 1,710 t.

Length 244' 5"

Beam 36'

Draft 14'

Speed 14 kts.

Complement 197

Armament: Six-6" breech-loading rifles, two 6-pounders, two 3-pounder rapid firing guns, two Hotchkiss revolving cannon and two Gatling guns

(1905 Armament: Six 6" Rapid Fire mounts, four Rapid Fire 1-pounders and two .30 cal. machine guns)

Propulsion: Four cylinderical boilers, two 3,300ihp horizontal triple-expansion engines, two shafts.

Click on thumbnail for full size image	Size	Image Description	Source
Bennington
	120k	Bennington fitting out at the Delaware River Iron Works shipyard, Chester, Pennsylvania, circa 1890 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 56379	Robert Hurst
USS Bennington (Gunboat No. 4)
	118k	A gunboat off Mare Island Navy Yard waterfront, during the 1890s. She is either the USS Concord (Gunboat No. 3) or Bennington. The receiving ship Independence is in the left background Courtesy of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, 1970 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 70558	Robert Hurst
	104k	Photographed circa 1891 by J.S. Johnston, New York City U.S. Navy photo NH 63248	Naval Historical Center
	112k	Photographed in a European harbor, circa 1892-1893, with USS Newark (Cruiser No. 1) alongside Courtesy of Arrigo Barilli, Bologna, Italy. U.S. Navy photo NH 56381	Naval Historical Center
	99k	Bennington in harbor, 1893 Copied from "The New Navy of the United States", by N.L. Stebbins, (New York, 1912) Donation by Donald Shadell, 1987 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 102742	Robert Hurst
	161k	At anchor, at New York, during the Columbian Naval Parade, 27 April 1893 Photo by Loeffler (1864-1946). Courtesy of DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University
	153k	Bennington off Valaparaiso, Chile, 3 April 1894 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 102821
	583k	In drydock at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, circa 1894-98. This photograph was published on a color-tinted postcard by Edward H. Mitchell, San Francisco, California Courtesy of H.E. ("Ed") Coffer, 1986 U.S. Navy photo NH 100931-KN Photo enhanced by Tom Kermen	Original photo: Naval History and Heritage Command Replacement photo: Bob Canchola Photo added 14 May 2021
	110k	A fine-screen halftone reproduction of a photograph of the ship in harbor, circa 1891-1901. It was published by the SUB-POST Card Co., of Los Angeles, California Donation of H.E. ("Ed") Coffer Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 102777	Robert Hurst
	158k	Replacement photo: Bennington dressed with flags in a harbor, probably while serving with the Squadron of Evolution, circa 1891-92 Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 67551 Second Replacement photo: Photo from The American Navy; Belford, Middlebrook and Co., Chicago - 1898 Third replacement: U.S. Navy photo	Original photo: Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center Replacement photo: Robert Hurst Second replacement photo: Thomas Becher Third replacement: Jim Kurrasch, Battleship Iowa, Pacific Battleship Center
	115k	Philadelphia (Cruiser No. 4), at right, and a gunboat off the Mare Island Navy Yard waterfront, during the mid-1890s. The latter is either USS Concord (Gunboat No. 3) or Bennington. Photo from the William H. Topley Collection, courtesy of Charles M. Loring, Napa, Ca, 1972 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 76115	Robert Hurst
	155k	Bennington in the Kowloon Dry Dock, Hong Kong, China in 1901 Collection of Chief Boatswain's Mate John E. Lynch, USN. Donated by his son Robert J. Lynch, in April 2000 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 102766	Robert Hurst
	77k	At Shanghai, China, on 4 July 1901, dressed with flags in honor of Independence Day. Collection of Chief Boatswain's Mate John E. Lynch, USN. Donated by his son, Robert J. Lynch, in April 2000. U.S. Navy photo NH 102765	Naval Historical Center
	180k	Broadside view of Bennington at Mare Island in the spring of 1903. USS Yorktown (PG 1) is inboard. U.S. Navy photo PG 4 004-10-1905	Original photo: Naval Historical Center Replacement photo: Darryl Baker
	70k	Underway in heavy seas, circa 1903-1905. U.S. Navy photo NH 102747	Naval Historical Center
	238k	Bennington at Mare Island in the spring of 1903. The USS Yorktown (PG 1) is inboard. U.S. Navy photos	Darryl Baker
	228k
	177k	View of Bennington's main deck looking aft at Mare Island in the spring of 1903. U.S. Navy photos PG 4 004-015-1905 and PG 4 004-016-1905
	238k
	131k	Bennington probably off San Francisco, California, circa 1903. Photograph from the Union Iron Works Scrapbook. Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1967. Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 56380	Robert Hurst
	170k	Bennington at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, circa 1903. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, 1975 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 83961
	107k	Warships of the U.S. Pacific Squadron in the moonlight, during a Latin American cruise, circa 1903-04. USS New York (Armored Cruiser No. 2) is in the left center. The other two ships listed in no particular order are USS Concord (Gunboat No. 3) and Bennington Donation of William L. Graham, 1977 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 85693
	154k	Bennington at anchor, probably in San Francisco Bay, California, circa 1903-1904. This image is printed on postcard published during the first decade of the Twentieth Century by Frank J. Stumm, Benicia, California. Courtesy of Harrell ("Ed") Coffer, 2007 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 105303
	80k	At anchor while serving with the Pacific Squadron in 1904 Donation of John C. Reilly, Jr., 1977. U.S. Navy photo NH 102751	Naval Historical Center
	211k	c. 1904 Serving with the Pacific Squadron	Robert M. Cieri
	147k	Bennington at the U.S Naval Station, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1904. The bow of USS Solace (1898-1930) is visible at the extreme left. Collection of Martin Fenne Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 102743	Robert Hurst
	133k	U.S. Warships and Revenue Cutters in harbor, probably in Alaskan waters, circa 1904. USS New York (Armored Cruiser No. 2) is in the right center. USRC Bear is at left, with (in no particular order), USS Concord (Gunboat No. 3) and Bennington second and third from left Collection of Martin Fenne Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 102741
	119k	Bennington, in the foreground, and USS Solace (1898-1930) at the U.S. Naval Station, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1904. Probably photographed from onboard USS New York (Armored Cruiser No. 2) Collection of Martin Fenne Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 102744
	45k	Guam Guard Mail Stamps	Tommy Trampp
	115k	Ships in the Mare Island channel circa 1905 in the foreground are USS Marblehead (C-11) with two stacks and the Gunboat USS Alert with one stack and in the background are Bennington (one stack and three masts) and USS Cincinnati (C-7) (two masts and two stacks) U.S. Navy photo C 11 001-1905	Darryl Baker
	542k	Original photo: Ship's officers and crew posed on deck and in her foremast rigging, at San Diego, California, 3 March 1905 Courtesy of the Historical Collection, Union Title Insurance Company, San Diego, California Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 56382 Replacement photo: Photo from USS Bennington website	Original photo: Robert Hurst Replacement photo: Ron Reeves
	114k	John Henry ("Dick") Turpin, Chief Gunner's Mate, USN (Retired). One of the first African-American Chief Petty Officers in the U.S. Navy. Turpin enlisted in the Navy in 1896. A survivor of the explosions on USS Maine (1898) and USS Bennington (1905), he became a Chief Gunner's Mate in 1917. Transferred to the Fleet Reserve in 1919, CGM Turpin retired in 1925. Qualified as a Master Diver, he was also employed as a Master Rigger at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, and, during the World War II era, made inspirational visits to Navy Training Centers and defense plants Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 89471	Robert Hurst
	257k	Bennington's in Mare Island's Dry Dock No. 1 in May 1905 with USS Dart (YFB 308) and USS Pike (SS 6) forward and the civilian ferry Vallejo aft U.S. Navy photo PG 4 001-5-1905	Darryl Baker
	148k	Bennington, at left and USAT Dix, at Honolulu, Hawaii, in June 1905. This halftone image is printed on a postcard mailed at San Francisco, California, on 14 June 1907, addressed to Miss Madeline M. March, of Hollister, California. Courtesy Harrell ("Ed") Coffer, 2007 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 105305	Robert Hurst
	116k	July 1905 Broadside view of Bennington in Mare Island channel. U.S. Navy photo PG 4 001-7-1905	Darryl Baker
	169k	Partially sunk in San Diego Bay, California, two hours after her 21 July 1905 boiler explosion. This fine-screen halftone photograph, with a commemorative message, is printed on a postcard published soon after the tragedy by Sewards' Post Cards, Los Angeles, California Courtesy of Harrell E. ("Ed") Coffer, 2007 Naval History and Heritage Command photos NH 105306-KN and NH 105307-KN	Robert Hurst
	142k		Robert Hurst
	132k	Halftone reproduction of a photograph, showing the ship's starboard side, amidships, as she was beached at San Diego, California, soon after her 21 July 1905 boiler explosion. A disabled six-inch gun is in the center of the image. Donation of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN (Medical Corps), November 1931. U.S. Navy photo NH 56383-A	Naval Historical Center
	185k	Halftone reproduction of a photograph, showing the ship as her engine room was being pumped out, soon after her 21 July 1905 boiler explosion at San Diego, California. Note her National Ensign flying at half-staff Donation of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN (Medical Corps), November 1931 Naval History and Heritage Command photos NH 56383-B and NH 56383-C	Robert Hurst
	124k		Robert Hurst
	83k	Partially sunk in San Diego harbor, California, after her 21 July 1905 boiler explosion. Donation of William L. Graham, 1977. U.S. Navy photo NH 85694	Naval Historical Center
	101k	Salvage party at work on the partially sunken ship, in San Diego harbor, California, after her 21 July 1905 boiler explosion. Donation of William L. Graham, 1977. U.S. Navy photo NH 85695	Naval Historical Center
	372k	Postcard Sewards' Post Cards, Los Angeles, CA	Robert M. Cieri
	90k	Salvage party at work on the partially sunken ship, in San Diego harbor, California, after her 21 July 1905 boiler explosion. Bennington's National Ensign is flying at half staff. Donation of William L. Graham, 1977. U.S. Navy photo NH 85696	Naval Historical Center
	115k	Removing the dead from the ship, following her boiler explosion at San Diego, California, 21 July 1905. Photographed and published on a stereograph card by C.H. Graves, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN (MSC), 1979. U.S. Navy photo NH 89081	Naval Historical Center
	121k	Bennington partially dismantled in dry dock at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, either during her 1901-1903 overhaul or while being stripped following her 21 July 1905 boiler explosion. This color-tinted photograph is printed on postcard published during the first decade of the Twentieth Century by Frank J. Stumm, Benicia, California. Mailed to Mrs. C.W. Baker of Orange County, California, it was postmarked at San Francisco, California, on 23 April 1910. Courtesy of Harrell ("Ed") Coffer, 2007 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 105304-KN	Robert Hurst
	98k	Sectional view of the gunboat Bennington printed in the Boston Daily Globe in 1905 Courtesy of the Boston Daily Globe	Robert Hurst
	1220k	Front page of the 22 July 1905 edition of the New York Tribune	Michael Mohl
	206k	Postcard showing various scenes. The most important aspect of this view is that is shows (in upper left) a photo of Gunner's Mate John Henry Turpin (1876-1962) who was a survivor of two historical explosions; aboard the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba on 15 February 1898 and the Bennington in San Diego Bay on 21 July 1905. © 1905 by Special View Co., 326 Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA	Robert M. Cieri
	292k	23 August 1905 Bennington in Dry Dock No. 1 at Mare Island. U.S. Navy photos PG 4 517-8-1905 and PG 4 515-8-1905	Darryl Baker
	238k
	287k	23 August 1905 Damaged bow of Bennington in Dry Dock No. 1 at Mare Island. Bennington's bow was damaged in a collision with the Protected Cruiser USS Chicago. U.S. Navy photo PG 4 001-8-1905
	179k	26 August 1905 Damaged bow of Bennington in Dry Dock No. 1 at Mare Island. Bennington's bow was damaged in a collision with the Protected Cruiser USS Chicago. U.S. Navy photo PG 4 001-8-1905
	690k	28 August 1905 Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA Port boiler saddles in compartment B1 looking aft Photos from the files of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
	609k	28 August 1905 Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA Saddles of port boiler in compartment B1 looking outboard Photos from the files of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
	540k	28 August 1905 Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA View of the tops of the two port boilers Photos from the files of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
	590k	28 August 1905 Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA Bulkhead at after end of compartment B2 looking aft Photos from the files of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
	154k	12 September 1906 Bow view of the decommissioned Bennington at Mare Island showing her boilers being removed. Note that her forward port gun has been removed U.S. Navy photo PG 4 729-9-1906
	215k	31 October 1906 Bow view of the decommissioned Bennington at Mare Island U.S. Navy photo PG 4 568-10-1906
Bennington
	141k	The barge Bennington at Honolulu U.S. Navy photo Honolulu 1912 - 1924	Darryl Baker
USS Bennington Monument
	128k	Funeral procession at San Diego, California, for victims of the ship's 21 July 1905 boiler explosion Donation of William L. Graham, 1977 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 85697	Bob Canchola Photos added 14 May 2021
	139k	Burial ceremonies, at San Diego, California, for victims of the ship's 21 July 1905 boiler explosion Donation of William L. Graham, 1977 Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 85698
	145k	Dedication of Bennington Monument Point Loma, San Diego, Cal., January 7, 1908 Library of Congress photo
	107k	USS Bennington Monument, San Diego, California. Ceremonies dedicating the monument at Fort Rosecrans, overlooking San Diego harbor, 7 January 1908. It was erected in memory of the Navy personnel who lost their lives in the boiler explosion on board USS Bennington (Gunboat 4) at San Diego on 21 July 1905. North Island and Coronado are in the left background. A cruiser of the St. Louis class is at right. Photographed by Norton-Bennette, 820 Fifth St., San Diego Collection of Lieutenant Commander Abraham DeSomer, donated by Myles DeSomer, 1975 U.S. Navy photo NH 82136	Naval Historical Center
	165k	Bennington Monument Dedication Ceremony on 7 January 1908. Contains most of Admiral Goodrich's address Photo by S. Sutcliffe, San Diego, CA	Robert M. Cieri
	321k	c. 1910 Bennington Monument at Point Loma, CA	Robert M. Cieri
	114k	Bennington Monument shaft, Bennington National Cemetery, San Diego, California Photograph taken circa the 1940s or 1950s. This monument was erected as a memorial to the men lost in the 21 July 1905 boiler explosion on board USS Bennington (Gunboat 4) at San Diego Donation of H.E. ("Ed") Coffer U.S. Navy photo NH 102773	Naval Historical Center

Commanding Officers
01	CDR Royal B. Bradford, USN	20 June 1891
02	CDR Edward David Taussig, USN - USNA Class of 1867	31 August 1898
03	CDR Chauncey Thomas, USN - USNA Class of 1871	2 March 1903
04	CDR Kossuth Niles, USN - USNA Class of 1869 Retired as Rear Admiral	15 December 1903 - March 1904
05	CDR Lucien Young, USN - USNA Class of 1873 Awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal (1877) - Retired as Rear Admiral	March 1904 - 31 October 1905

Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Joe Radigan

View the Bennington (Gunboat No. 4)
DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website

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NavSource Online:Gunboat Photo Archive

Bennington (Gunboat No. 4)

NavSource Online:
Gunboat Photo Archive