USS Callao (YFB-11)

"Callao" was a gunboat of the United States Navy which fought in the Spanish-American War and served in the U.S. fleet from 1898 to 1923.

Prior to her U.S. service, "Callao" was a gunboat in the Spanish Navy. For her characteristics and career in Spanish service, see Spanish gunboat "Callao".

Technical Characteristics

"Callao" was built at Cavite, the Philippines by the Manila Ship Company [ "Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905", p. 167] , intended for Spanish colonial duty in the Philippines. She was both launched and completed in 1888. She had two masts and a steel hull, and was unarmored. [ [http://www.spanamwar.com/callao.htm The Spanish-American War Centennial Website: Gunboat "Callao"] ]

Operational History

Her Spanish crew unaware that the Spanish-American War had broken out, "Callao" was steaming toward port in Manila Bay on 12 May 1898 when she was taken completely by surprise by the presence and hostile actions of the U.S. Navy's Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey and was captured by cruiser USS "Raleigh". "Callao" immediately was put into American service with Lieutenant B. Tappan in command, and was commissioned officially into the U.S. Navy on 17 July 1898 [ Per [http://www.spanamwar.com/callao.htm The Spanish-American War Centennial Website: Gunboat "Callao"] and the "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships", although "Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905", p. 167, and [http://www.spanamwar.com/span2ndclassgunboats.htm The Spanish-American War Centennial Website: Spanish 2nd-Class Gunboats] both claim the commissioning date was 2 July 1898] as gunboat USS "Callao" with Lieutenant Tappan remaining in command.

"Callao" served through the remainder of the Spanish-American War as tender to Commodore Dewey's flagship, protected cruiser USS "Olympia", as part of Dewey's squadron. She took part in the 13 August 1898 U.S. attack on Manila, serving on the left flank of U.S. Army forces, who credited her for very effective gunfire support to the troops ashore. [ [http://www.spanamwar.com/span2ndclassgunboats.htm The Spanish-American War Centennial Website: Spanish 2nd-Class Gunboats] ]

After the war, "Callao" ranged throughout the Philippines, patrolling to suppress smuggling, covering U.S. Army scouting parties operating against Philippine insurgents, transporting troops, and firing on insurgent positions (see Philippine Revolution), until decommissioned for repairs at Cavite on 21 February 1901.

Upon her recommissioning on 20 December 1902, "Callao" carried supplies among the Philippine Islands until February 1903, when she arrived at Hong Kong to begin 13 years of service patrolling the coast and rivers of China. Along with her participation in the exercises, maneuvers, and visits of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet, she gave essential protection to American citizens and interests, often threatened by political disturbance in volatile China.

"Callao" was decommissioned at Hong Kong on 31 January 1916, and next sailed for Olongapo, Luzon, the Philippines, where she laid up. While laid up, she was classified as a patrol gunboat with hull number PG-37 on 17 July 1920.

"Callao" was redesignated as a ferry and returned to service with hull number YFB-11 in June 1921. She served in the 16th Naval District as a ferryboat in the Philippines until sold for scrap at Manila on 13 September 1923.

Notes

References

*Chesneau, Roger, and Eugene M. Kolesnik, Eds. "Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905." New York, New York: Mayflower Books Inc., 1979. ISBN 0831703024.
*Gray, Randal, Ed. "Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921." Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1985. ISBN 0870219073.

External Links

* [http://www.spanamwar.com/callao.htm The Spanish-American War Centennial Website: Gunboat "Callao"]
* [http://www.spanamwar.com/span2ndclassgunboats.htm The Spanish-American War Centennial Website: Spanish 2nd-Class Gunboats]