USS Concord (PG-3)

USS "Concord" (PG-3) was built by the Delaware River Iron Works and launched on 8 March 1890 by N. F. Palmer Jr. and Company in Chester, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Miss M. D. Coates, "Concord" was commissioned 14 February 1891 with Commander O. A. Batcheller in command.

"Concord" operated on the New England Coast, and sailed from New York City 17 November 1891 on a cruise to the West Indies and South America with her squadron, then arrived at New Orleans, Louisiana on 27 April 1892 and cruised up the Mississippi River as far as Cairo, Illinois, visiting various ports en route.

Returning to New York 13 June 1892, "Concord" made another cruise to the West Indies late that year, and arrived back at Norfolk, Virginia on 5 December. She participated in International Naval Reviews held at Norfolk and New York in March and April 1893, and in June sailed from Norfolk for the Far East, calling at the Azores, Gibraltar, Malta, Port Said, Bangkok, and Saigon before arriving at Hong Kong on 30 October. She cruised on the Asiatic Station until 29 May 1894 when she arrived at Unalaska. She cruised in the North Pacific to carry out the provisions of the treaty between the United States and Great Britain, which empowered her to seize all vessels violating the laws protecting valuable fur seals. She gathered hydrographic information to correct Bering Sea charts and conduct scientific observations of the fur seals.

On the Northeast Point of Saint Paul Island, Alaska, in the Pribilofs, which has the greatest population of Northern fur seal in the world, there is an elaborate stone grave craved with the words, "James Heath, Gunner's Mate, 1st Class, USS Concord, Born 1864, Died 1894."

"Concord" returned to the Asiatic Station in September 1894 and continued to serve in the Far East until returning to San Francisco, California on 3 May 1896. She was placed out of commission for repairs between 27 May 1896 and 22 May 1897. After a cruise to Alaskan waters 1 July - 29 November, she sailed from Mare Island 8 January 1898 for the Asiatic Station. With the declaration of war between Spain and the United States in April, "Concord" joined Admiral George Dewey's squadron at Mirs Bay near Hong Kong on the 24th and sailed for the Philippines. On 1 May the squadron entered Manila Bay and won the victory that resulted in American control of the Philippines.

"Concord" resumed her patrol on station in August 1898, but returned to the Philippines 19 December to assist in putting down the insurrection. Her duty consisted of patrolling the coast to restrict insurgent movements and shipping; bombarding various guerrilla strongholds; and aiding US Army operations. Except for a voyage to Guam in March 1900 to deliver stores, and a brief voyage to Hong Kong for repairs, "Concord" remained in Philippine waters until June 1901, when she sailed by way of Alaskan waters to San Francisco, arriving 28 September 1901. She cruised with the Fleet in Mexican waters, then went out of commission 26 February 1902 at Mare Island.

Recommissioned 15 June 1903 "Concord" operated along the North American coast from Alaska to Panama and to Hawaii and Alaska until decommissioned at Bremerton, Washington 25 August 1904. "Concord" was recommissioned again 16 September 1905, sailed from Bremerton 24 December 1905, operated in the Philippines until March 1906, then sailed to China. Until 1908 she remained in the Far East serving at times on the Yangtze Patrol and as station ship at Shanghai and Canton.

"Concord" served as station ship at Guam from 2 January to 10 September 1909, then sailed to Puget Sound Navy Yard arriving 11 October, decommissioning 4 November 1909, and assigned as barracks ship for the Washington Naval Militia at Seattle. She was transferred to the Public Health Service of the Treasury Department on 15 June 1914 and served as a stationary quarantine barge at Astoria, Oregon. Returned to naval custody 19 March 1929, she was sold 28 June 1929.

References

*Alden, John D. "American Steel Navy: A Photographic History of the U.S. Navy from the Introduction of the Steel Hull in 1883 to the Cruise of the Great White Fleet." Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1989. ISBN 0870212486
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c12/concord-ii.htm