View source for USS Baltimore (C-3)

{{short description|Protected cruiser}}
{{other ships|USS Baltimore}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:Baltimore (Cruiser 3). Starboard bow, 1891 - NARA - 512896.jpg|300px|USS ''Baltimore'']]
|Ship caption=''Baltimore'' in 1891
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1922}}
|Ship name=''Baltimore''
|Ship namesake=[[Baltimore]], Maryland
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder= [[William Cramp & Sons]], [[Philadelphia]]
|Ship yard number=254
|Ship original cost= $1,546,172.13 (hull and machinery)
|Ship laid down=5 May 1887
|Ship launched=6 October 1888
|Ship acquired=
|Ship sponsor=Mrs. Theodore D. Wilson, wife of Chief Constructor Wilson
|Ship commissioned=7 January 1890
|Ship decommissioned=15 September 1922
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship reclassified=CM-1
|Ship struck=14 October 1937
|Ship honors=
|Ship identification=*[[Hull classification symbol#Surface combatant type|Hull symbol]]:C-3
*Hull symbol:CM-1
|Ship fate=Scuttled, 22 September 1944
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type[[Protected cruiser]]
|Ship displacement={{convert|4413|LT|t|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|336|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|48|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|20|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship power=*4 × coal-fired [[boiler]]s
*2 × horizontal [[triple expansion engine]]s
*{{convert|10500|ihp|kW|lk=in|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*2 × screws
|Ship speed= {{convert|19|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range=
|Ship complement=386 officers and men
|Ship armament=
*4 × [[8"/35 caliber gun|{{convert|8|in|adj=on|0}}/35]] [[caliber (artillery)|caliber]] Mark 4 guns
*6 × [[6"/30 caliber gun|{{convert|6|in|adj=on|0}}/30]] caliber Mark 3 guns
*4 × [[QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss|6-pounder ({{convert|57|mm|in|abbr=on}}) guns]]
*2 × [[QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss|3-pounder ({{convert|47|mm|in|abbr=on}}) guns]]
*2 × [[QF 1-pounder pom-pom|1-pounder ({{convert|37|mm|in|abbr=on}}) guns]]
*2 × [[.45-70|.45 caliber]] (11.4 mm) [[Gatling gun]]s
|Ship armor=*'''[[Gun shield]]s:''' {{convert|4.5|in|mm|abbr=on}}
*'''[[Main deck]]:''' {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}}
*'''[[Conning tower]]:''' {{convert|3|in|mm|abbr=on}}
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

The fourth '''USS ''Baltimore'' (C-3)''' (later '''CM-1''') was a [[United States Navy]] [[cruiser]], the fifth [[protected cruiser]] to be built by an American yard. Like the previous one, {{USS|Charleston|C-2|2}}, the design was commissioned from the [[United Kingdom|British]] company of [[Armstrong Whitworth|W. Armstrong, Mitchell, and Company]] of [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]. ''Baltimore'' was an all-around improvement on ''Charleston'', somewhat larger with more guns, thicker armor, and better machinery.<ref name=Conways1>Gardiner and Chesneau, p. 151</ref><ref name=Register1>Bauer and Roberts, p. 143</ref><ref name=Friedman1>Friedman, pp. 25, 459</ref>

==Design ==

''Baltimore'' was built to plans purchased from [[Armstrong Whitworth|Armstrong]], a British manufacturer, which were similar to an unsuccessful Armstrong bid for the [[Spanish cruiser Reina Regente (1887)|Spanish cruiser ''Reina Regente'']].<ref name=Conways1/><ref name=Friedman1/> Unlike the preceding ''Charleston'', these plans included a modern [[triple expansion engine]] designed by [[Humphrys, Tennant & Co.]]<ref name=Register1/> ''Baltimore''{{'}}s initial cost for hull and machinery was $1,546,172.13.<ref>{{cite journal |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=mZEqAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA762 |title= Table 21 - Ships on Navy List June 30, 1919 |journal= Congressional Serial Set |location= Washington, D.C. |publisher= U.S. Government Printing Office |year= 1921 |page= 762 }}</ref>

''Baltimore'' was armed with four [[8"/35 caliber gun|{{convert|8|in|adj=on|0}}/35]] [[caliber (artillery)|caliber]] Mark 4 guns in [[sponson]]s on either side of the bow and stern, and six [[6"/30 caliber gun|{{convert|6|in|adj=on|0}}/30]] caliber Mark 3 guns<ref name=NavWeaps1>[http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_6-30_mk1.htm DiGiulian, Tony, US 6"/30, 6"/35, and 6"/40 guns at Navweaps.com]</ref> in sponsons along the sides. Secondary armament was four [[QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss|6-pounder ({{convert|57|mm|in|abbr=on}}) guns]], two [[QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss|3-pounder]] ({{convert|47|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}) [[Hotchkiss revolving cannon]], two 1-pounder ({{convert|37|mm|in|abbr=on}}) Hotchkiss revolving cannon, and two [[.45-70|.45 caliber]] (11.4&nbsp;mm) [[Gatling gun]]s.<ref name=Conways1/><ref name=Friedman1/> Four 14-inch (356&nbsp;mm) [[torpedo tube]]s were included in the design but never mounted.<ref name=Register1/>

''Baltimore'' had {{convert|4.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} [[gun shield]]s and a {{convert|3|in|mm|abbr=on}} thick armored [[conning tower]]. The armored deck was up to {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} on its sloped sides and {{convert|2.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} elsewhere.<ref name=Conways1/>

The as-built engineering plant included four coal-fired cylindrical [[boiler]]s producing steam for two horizontal [[triple expansion engine]]s totaling {{convert|10750|ihp|lk=on|abbr=on}} for a designed speed of {{convert|19|kn|lk=in}}, although {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}} was achieved on trials.<ref name=Conways1/><ref name=Friedman1/> ''Baltimore'' was among the first US Navy ships with the more powerful and efficient [[triple expansion engine]]s. Unlike some contemporary designs, no sails were fitted. ''Baltimore'' carried 400 tons of coal for a range of {{convert|3838|nmi|lk=on|abbr=on}} at {{convert|10|kn|abbr=on}}; this could be increased to 850 tons for {{convert|8155|nmi|lk=on|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Friedman1/>

===Refits===
''Baltimore'' was rebuilt between 1900 and 1903 with the armament replaced by 12 [[6"/40 caliber gun|{{convert|6|in|adj=on|0}}/40]] caliber Mark 7 guns,<ref name=NavWeaps1/> the 8-inch guns being removed.<ref name=Conways1/> The secondary armament was replaced (or augmented) by six [[3"/50 caliber gun|{{convert|3|in|adj=on|0}}/50]] caliber guns.<ref name=Register1/> The boilers were replaced with eight [[Babcock & Wilcox]] boilers.<ref name=Conways1/> In 1913 and 1914 she was converted into a [[minelayer]] at the [[Charleston Navy Yard]] with four 6"/40 guns and a capacity of 180 [[naval mine|mines]].<ref name=Register1/> In an armament upgrade for [[World War I]], between 1917 and 1918, her guns were replaced with four [[5"/51 caliber gun|{{convert|5|in|adj=on|0}}/51]] caliber guns and two 3-inch (76&nbsp;mm)/50 caliber [[anti-aircraft]] guns.<ref name=Conways1/><ref name=Register1/>

==Construction and Service history==
[[File:Baltimore (ship, 1890) - Brassey's 1887.png|thumb|upright=1.5|Drawing showing the side and top view of the ''Baltimore'']]
She was launched on 6 October 1888 by [[William Cramp & Sons]] Ship and Engine Building Company, in [[Philadelphia]], sponsored by Mrs. Theodore D. Wilson, wife of Chief Constructor [[Theodore D. Wilson]]; and commissioned on 7 January 1890, with [[Captain (USN)|Captain]] [[W. S. Schley]] in command.<ref name="DANFS1">{{cite DANFS|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/baltimore-iv.html|title=Baltimore IV (Cruiser No. 3)|date=22 June 2015|access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref>

===Pre-Spanish–American War===
''Baltimore'' became the [[flagship]] of the [[North Atlantic Squadron]] on 24 May 1890, and, from 15 to 23 August, conveyed the remains of the late Captain [[John Ericsson]] from [[New York City]] to [[Filipstad]] in [[Värmland]], [[Sweden]].

After cruising in [[Europe]]an and [[Mediterranean]] waters with the [[European Squadron]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=James |date=27 December 1890 |title=Villefrance - le croiseur américain Baltimore |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8553863w |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Gallica |series=Villefranche avec les flottes française et américaine: Baltimore, le Formidable, le Hoche, le Cécille, la Dévastation, la Dragonne, I'Ouragan, le torpilleur 127 |language=fr}}</ref> she arrived at [[Valparaíso]], [[Chile]] on 7 April 1891 to join the [[Pacific Squadron]]. She protected American citizens during the [[Chile]] [[1891 Chilean Civil War|revolution]] and landing men at Valparaíso on 28 August. Her activities in Chile around this time became known as the [[Baltimore Crisis|''Baltimore'' Crisis]] where two United States Navy sailors from its crew were stabbed in front of the True Blue Saloon on 16 October 1891. Arriving at the [[Mare Island Navy Yard]] on 5 January 1892, she cruised on the west coast of the U.S. until 7 October and then returned to the Atlantic. She took part in the [[Naval Review|naval rendezvous and review]] in [[Hampton Roads]] during March and April 1893, prior to the [[World's Columbian Exposition]]. Proceeding via the [[Suez Canal]], she cruised as flagship of the [[Asiatic Station]] from 22 December 1893 to 3 December 1895, protecting American interests. Returning to Mare Island on 21 January 1896, she went out of commission on 17 February.<ref name=DANFS1/>

===Spanish–American War===
Recommissioned on 12 October 1897, ''Baltimore'' sailed on 20 October for the [[Hawaiian Islands]] and remained there from 7 November 1897 to 25 March 1898. She then joined [[Commodore (United States)|Commodore]] [[George Dewey]]'s squadron at [[Hong Kong]] on 22 April. The squadron sailed from [[Mirs Bay]], [[China]] on 27 April for the [[Philippines]], and on the morning of 1 May entered [[Manila Bay]] and [[Battle of Manila Bay|destroyed]] the [[Spain|Spanish]] fleet stationed there. ''Baltimore'' was second in line behind {{USS|Olympia|C-6|2}}.  In the [[Battle of Manila Bay]], ''Baltimore'' was commanded by future Rear Admiral [[Nehemiah Dyer]], who had served with Farragut at Mobile Bay.<ref name=DANFS1/>

''Baltimore'' remained in the Philippines on the [[Asiatic Station]] as the Spanish–American War transitioned into the [[Philippine–American War]], [[convoy]]ing [[transport]]s and protecting American interests until 23 May 1900, when she sailed for the United States, via the [[Suez Canal]], arriving at New York on 8 September. In one instance, just before the outbreak of the Philippine–American War, the ''Baltimore'' sailed for [[Iloilo City]] accompanying troops whose mission was to occupy the city before General [[Martín Teófilo Delgado|Martin Delgado]]'s forces, loosely part of [[Emilio Aquinaldo]]'s [[Philippine Revolutionary Army]], could do so.<ref name=Linn>Linn, pp. 37-41</ref> When the American forces arrived, General Delgado already occupied the city in the name of the [[Federal State of the Visayas]].<ref name=Linn /> After several weeks of a tense but peaceful stand-off, American troops and ships, including the ''Baltimore'' withdrew to Manila without landing on either [[Panay]] or [[Guimaras]] islands.<ref name=Linn />

===Pre-World War I===
Between 27 September 1900 and 6 May 1903, ''Baltimore'' was out of commission at [[New York Navy Yard]]. From 5 August to 23 December, she served with the [[Caribbean Squadron]], [[North Atlantic Fleet]], taking part in summer maneuvers off the coast of [[Maine]], in the Presidential Review at [[Oyster Bay (hamlet), New York|Oyster Bay, New York]] (15–17 August), and in [[Santo Domingo]] waters. From 28 May to 26 August 1904, she was attached to the [[European Squadron]] and cruised in the [[Mediterranean]]. On 26 September, she sailed from [[Genoa]], [[Italy]], for the Asiatic Station and spent the next two years cruising in Asiatic, Philippine, and [[Australia]]n waters.<ref name=DANFS1/>

''Baltimore'' returned to New York on 24 April 1907 and went out of commission at [[New York Navy Yard]] on 15 May. On 20 January 1911, she was placed in commission in reserve and served as a [[receiving ship]] at [[Charleston Navy Yard]] (30 January 1911 – 20 September 1912). From 1913 to 1914, she was converted to a [[minelayer]] at the [[Charleston Navy Yard]] and recommissioned on 8 March 1915. From 1915 to 1918, she carried out mining experiments and operations in the [[Chesapeake Bay]] and along the Atlantic coast.<ref name=DANFS1/>

===World War I===
At the time of the [[American entry into World War I]], ''Baltimore'' was training personnel. Early in March 1918, she was detailed to assist in laying a deep [[naval mine|minefield]] off the north coast of [[Ireland]] in the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]].<ref name=DANFS1/> She arrived at the [[River Clyde|Clyde]] on 8 March, and, from 13 April to 2 May, laid approximately 900 mines in the North Channel. On 2 June, she joined [[Mine Squadron 1]] at [[Inverness]], [[Scotland]], and for four months participated in laying the [[North Sea Mine Barrage]] between the [[Orkney Islands]] and [[Norway]] by laying a total of 1,260 mines:
* planting 180 mines during the 1st minelaying excursion on 7 June,
* planting 180 mines during the 3rd minelaying excursion on 14 July,
* planting 180 mines during the 4th minelaying excursion on 29 July,
* planting 180 mines during the 5th minelaying excursion on 8 August,
* planting 180 mines during the 6th minelaying excursion on 18 August,
* planting 180 mines during the 7th minelaying excursion on 26 August, and
* planting 180 mines during the 9th minelaying excursion on 20 September.<ref>Belknap, p. 110</ref>
On 28 September, ''Baltimore'' sailed from [[Scapa Flow]], [[Orkney Islands]] back to the U.S. She carried out mining experiments in the vicinity of the [[Virgin Islands]] until the end of the year.<ref name=DANFS1/>

===Inter-war period===
[[File:USS Baltimore being examined by Seabees of the 133rd Naval Construction Battalion.jpg|thumb|USS ''Baltimore'' in partially salvaged condition being examined by Seabees of the 133rd Naval Construction Battalion at Naval Station Pearl Harbor]]
[[File:USS Baltimore sinking.jpg|thumb|USS ''Baltimore'' being scuttled by Seabees.]]
In September 1919, she joined the [[United States Pacific Fleet|Pacific Fleet]], received the designation '''CM-1''' (cruiser minelayer), and remained on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] until January 1921. She then proceeded to [[Pearl Harbor]], where she was subsequently placed out of commission on 15 September 1922. She then served as a receiving ship at Pearl Harbor, and was present during the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Japanese attack there]] on 7 December 1941. She was sold for scrapping on 16 February 1942,<ref name=DANFS1/> but she was eventually towed out to sea and scuttled by [[Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133|Seabee demolition men]] on 22 September 1944.<ref name=Register1/> In August 2017, the wreck was discovered by [[Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory]] (HURL) off the south shore of Oahu. In September 2017, ''Baltimore'' was revisited by the [[NOAAS Okeanos Explorer (R 337)|Okeanos Explorer]] and surveyed in detail for [[photogrammetry]].

==References==
{{reflist}}
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/baltimore-iv.html}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book | last = Bauer | first = K. Jack | author-link = K. Jack Bauer | author2=Roberts, Stephen S. | title = Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants | publisher = Greenwood Press | year = 1991 | location = [[Westport, Connecticut]] | isbn = 0-313-26202-0 }}
*Belknap, Reginald Rowan. ''The Yankee Mining Squadron; or, Laying the North Sea Mining Barrage'' (1920) Annapolis: [[United States Naval Institute]]
* Burr, Lawrence. ''US Cruisers 1883–1904: The Birth of the Steel Navy''. Oxford: Osprey, 2008. {{ISBN|1-84603-267-9}} {{OCLC|488657946}}
* {{cite book |last=Friedman| first=Norman |author-link= Norman Friedman |title=U.S. Cruisers: An Illustrated Design History |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] | year=1984 | location=[[Annapolis, Maryland]] | isbn=0-87021-718-6}}
* {{cite book | last = Gardiner | first = Robert | author2 = Chesneau, Roger | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905 | publisher = Mayflower Books | year = 1979 | location = New York | url = https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds0000unse_l2e2 | isbn = 0-8317-0302-4 | url-access = registration }}
* {{cite book|last=Linn|first=Brian McAllister|author-link=Brian McAllister Linn|title=The Philippine War: 1899–1902|year=2000|publisher=[[University Press of Kansas]]|location=Lawrence, Kansas|isbn=0-7006-1225-4}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Melman|first1=R. Stan|year=1998 |title=Question 2/81|journal=Warship International|volume=XXXV |issue=4 |page=422 |issn=0043-0374}}
* {{cite book|title=Jane's Fighting Ships of World War I|author=Taylor, Michael J.H.|publisher= Studio|year=1990|isbn=1-85170-378-0}}
* ''The White Squadron''. Toledo, Ohio: Woolson Spice Co., 1891. {{OCLC|45112425}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Wright |first1=Christopher C. |title=Question 2/81 |journal=Warship International |date=1982 |volume=XIX |issue=3 |pages=294–301|issn=0043-0374}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{navsource|04/c3/c3|USS Baltimore}}
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/search.html?q=%22uss+baltimore%22+and+3&category=%2Fcontent%2Fhistory%2Fnhhc%2Four-collections USS ''Baltimore'' (C-3) photos at Naval History & Heritage Command]
*[http://www.spanamwar.com/baltimor.htm ''Baltimore'' at SpanAmWar.com]

{{WWI US ships}}
{{1891 shipwrecks}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baltimore (C-3)}}
[[Category:Protected cruisers of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Spanish–American War cruisers of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships built by William Cramp & Sons]]
[[Category:1888 ships]]
[[Category:Philippine–American War ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1891]]
[[Category:World War I mine warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships present during the attack on Pearl Harbor]]