USS Harvard (1888)

The first USS "Harvard" of the United States Navy was an auxiliary cruiser in the Spanish-American War. She was launched as "City of New York", and later commissioned as "Plattsburg" (SP-1645) for service in World War I.

Originally a schooner-rigged steamship, she was launched in 1888 as "City of New York" by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, for the Inman Line. Sister ship of "City of Paris", "City of New York" was one of the largest and best liners of her day, and one of the first steamships with twin screws. She was transferred to American registry under the American Line in 1893 as "New York". These ships brought the United States to the front rank in the Atlantic passenger trade, and "New York" established the record for the Southampton to New York crossing in September 1893.

panish-American war

At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, "New York" was chartered as an auxiliary cruiser with a civilian crew, commissioning 26 April 1898 at New York, Captain C. S. Cotton in command and renamed "Harvard". Assigned as a scout, "Harvard" departed New York 30 April to cruise West Indian waters in search of the Spanish fleet. After sending back several reports on the location of Spanish units in the Caribbean, "Harvard" was blockaded by a larger force at Saint-Pierre, Martinique 11-17 May, after which she proceeded to Santiago de Cuba and St. Nicholas Mole, Haiti, with dispatches from Commodore Winfield Scott Schley. Interrupting her scouting duties, "Harvard" returned to Newport News, Virginia, 7-26 June, during which time her crew was officially taken into the Naval Service.

"Harvard" returned to the Caribbean with troops and supplies, arriving at Altares, Cuba, about 1 July. The morning of 3 July, she received the electrifying news that the Spanish fleet had sortied. After Rear Admiral William T. Sampson's smashing victory off Santiago, she rescued survivors. Despite the high surf and ammunition explosions from the stricken Spanish ships, "Harvard" succeeded in recovering over 600 officers and men.

July 4, 1898, The 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry were guarding the prisoners of war inside "Harvard". A guard ordered a prisoner, who was attempting to cross the line, to return. The prisoner did not understand English and the guard fired a shot causing other prisoners to stand up. Fearing the prisoners were about to attack, the guards opened fire killing six prisoners and wounding thirteen more. After the investigation, it was concluded that it was a mistake. The tragedy was known as "Harvard Incident".

No longer needed as a scout in the Caribbean, "Harvard" was sent back to the United States 10 July 1898. She was temporarily turned over to the War Department, and returned to Santiago de Cuba to transport troops back to the United States. "Harvard" arrived at New York 27 August and decommissioned 2 September 1898 at New York Navy Yard.

World War I and demise

Reverting to her old name, "New York", the ship resumed transatlantic service with the American Line until World War I. During this period she underwent extensive conversion in 1903, when one of her three funnels was removed. When United States joined World War I, again needed in support of American forces abroad, "New York" was chartered by the Navy 9 May 1918 for use as a troop transport. She commissioned as "Plattsburg" on May 24, 1918 and commanded by Claude C. Bloch.

"Plattsburg" made four voyages from New York to Liverpool transporting the American Expeditionary Force to Europe, and after the end of the war made a total of seven voyages, bringing home over 24,000 veterans. She returned to New York after her final crossing 29 August 1919, and was returned to her owners 6 October 1919.

As "New York", the ship once again plied the Atlantic with passengers, but she was no longer a first-class liner and was withdrawn from service in 1920. Sold to the Polish Navigation Company, she made two more voyages, but the company was soon forced to close down and the ship was scrapped in 1923.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/h3/harvard-i.htm

External links

* [http://www.maritimequest.com/liners/city_of_new_york_uss_harvard/city_of_new_york.htm Maritimequest City of New York / USS Harvard / USS Plattsburg Photo Gallery]

* [http://www.maritimequest.com/liners/city_of_new_york_uss_harvard/city_of_new_york_data.htm Maritimequest City of New York / USS Harvard / USS Plattsburg Fact Sheet]

* [http://www.spanamwar.com/harvard.htm Spanish-American War - USS Harvard ]