>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1969) Vol. 4, p.362.





MILWAUKEE



C-21

Displacement:  9,700 t.

Length:  426’9”

Beam:  66’

Draft:  22’6”

Speed:  22 k.

Complement:  673

Armament:  14 6”; 18 3”; 12 3-pdrs.; 8 1-pdrs.; 

	4 .30 cal. MG

Class:  ST. LOUIS



	The second MILWAUKEE (C-21) was laid down 30 July 1902 

by Union Iron Works, San Francisco, Calif.; launched 10 

September 1904; sponsored by Miss Janet Mitchell, daughter 

of U.S. Senator John L. Mitchell of Wisconsin; and 

commissioned 10 December 1906, Cmdr. Charles A. Gove in 

command.



	After shakedown off the coast of California and Mexico, 

14 March through 28 May 1907, MILWAUKEE departed San 

Francisco 26 June 1907 and cruised off the coasts of San 

Salvador and Costa Rica protecting American interests and 

engaging in target practice with the squadron in Magdalena 

Bay.  On 26 March 1908, the cruiser sailed from San 

Francisco for Bremerton, Wash., where she was placed in 

reserve 25 April.  Except for a cruise in the summer of 

1908, which took her to Hawaii and to Honduras, the ship 

remained in reserve status at Puget Sound Navy Yard until 

decommissioned 3 May 1910.



	MILWAUKEE recommissioned in ordinary 17 June 1913 and 

was assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet.  In the next 2 

years, the ship made several brief cruises, one to Honolulu 

with a detachment of Washington State Naval Militia 1 

through 22 July 1914, and several along the coast of 

California.  On 18 March 1916, MILWAUKEE was detached from 

the Reserve Fleet and assigned duty as tender to destroyers 

and submarines of the Pacific Fleet.  Based at San Diego, 

the cruiser participated in exercises and maneuvers off the 

coast, patrolled Mexican waters, transported refugees, and 

performed survey duty.



	After overhaul at Mare Island late in 1916, MILWAUKEE 

sailed 5 January 1917 for Eureka, Calif., to assist in 

salvaging U.S. submarine H-3 which had run aground in 

Humboldt Bay, 14 December 1916.  On 13 January, while 

attempting to float the submarine, the cruiser stranded in 

the first line of breakers at Samoa Beach off Eureka.  The 

crew reached shore safely, but attempts to salvage the ship 

were unsuccessful.  MILWAUKEE decommissioned 6 March 1917 

and a storm in November 1918 broke the ship in two.  Her 

name was struck from the Navy List 23 June 1919 and her hulk 

was sold 5 August 1919.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com