- USS Lebanon (AG-2)
USS "Lebanon" (AG-2) was a heavy 3,285-ton
collier , which theU.S. Navy acquired in1898 from the Philadelphia and Reading RR. Company to providecoal for Navywarships during theSpanish-American War . When the need for her coal was no longer a necessity, "Lebanon" was assigned various duty such as transporting stores as well as target repair and towing operations.Built by William Cramp in Philadelphia
Lebanon – the first ship to be so named by the U.S. Navy -- was launched byWilliam Cramp & Sons ,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , in1894 ; acquired by the Navy6 April 1898 from Philadelphia and Reading RR. Co.; and commissioned atBoston, Massachusetts ,16 April 1898 , Lt. Comdr. C. T. Forse in command.Spanish-American War service
After brief shakedown, "Lebanon" departed Boston
17 May 1898 with coal for ships fighting in theSpanish-American War . ArrivingCardenas, Cuba ,4 June , the collier operated in theCaribbean and along the Atlantic coast for the next 10 months. "Lebanon" decommissioned atNorfolk, Virginia ,15 April 1899 .Inter-war service
"Lebanon" recommissioned at
Portsmouth, New Hampshire ,11 August 1905 , Capt. George McDonald in command. From1905 until1909 she operated as a collier along theU.S. East Coast sailing as far south asNicaragua servicing fueling stations and the fleet in theAtlantic Ocean and in theCaribbean . She decommissioned at Norfolk2 October 1909 . On1 July 1911 "Lebanon" again recommissioned and was assigned to duty as a range ship. Operating along the U.S. east coast during the rest of the year, she transported stores and ammunition to eastern ports before joining the fleet in the Caribbean for the1912 winter maneuvers. For the next 4 years "Lebanon" operated as a target towing ship during fleet exercises along the coast and in the Caribbean.World War I support
After America’s entry into
World War I , her activities increased as she assisted the fighting ships to prepare for action in the war-ravaged waters. "Lebanon" continued target repair and towing operations in the Atlantic and Caribbean for the rest of her naval service.Final decommissioning
"Lebanon" decommissioned at
New York City 6 February 1922 and was sold2 June 1922 .References
See also
*
United States Navy
*Reading Company
*Port Richmond, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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