| The United States Navy, January 1, 1892 |
| Following the Civil War, the United States Navy rapidly demobilized, and for the next 15 years suffered through one of the worst periods in its history, with a shrinking, technologically obsolete fleet. Starting in the early 1880's, the government and public gradually came to support the concept of rebuilding the nation's naval force. After considering a series of proposals, Congress authorized a small start with the so-called ABCD ships, also known as the "Squadron of Evolution." These ships, cruisers ATLANTA, BOSTON,and CHICAGO as well as dispatch vessel DOLPHIN were the first ships of the "Steel Navy." Over the next decade, the Navy slowly received approval to build more modern vessels, but each took so long to build they proved to be obsolecent when commissioned. By 1892, the Navy was in the midst of this rebuilding, but still lacked any combatant larger than a cruiser, with the "Coast Battleships" TEXAS and MAINE still under construction. Six years later, the Navy would secure its future with victories at Manila and Santiago Bays, but in 1892 there was little evidence it could perform well in battle. The fleet showed a mix of Civil War-era ships (though most of the monitors remained decommissioned in reserve) and untested newer vessels. Ashore, the Navy lacked Pacific bases and its existing east coast bases were more a source of political patronage for members of Congress than they were support elements for the fleet. FORCES AFLOAT MAJOR STATIONS OTHER VESSELS SHORE ESTABLISHMENT NAVY DEPARTMENT BASES SPECIAL DUTY LIST OF CAPTAINS ON ACTIVE DUTY LIST OF FLAG OFFICERS, ACTIVE AND RETIRED FLAG OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS 1890-1900 NEW! 2/21/05 Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS Return to WELCOME PAGE contact me: [email protected] |
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| The cruiser PHILADELPHIA, flagship of the North Atlantic Station, in 1892. Photo from the NHC On-Line Library. As far as I know it is in the public domain. |