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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
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African-Americans and the U.S. Navy -- 1870s and 1880s

Following the Civil War, African-Americans continued to serve in unlimited roles among the Navy's enlisted ranks, though a tendency to encourage them to become officer's stewards was emerging.

This page shows views of African-Americans on board Navy ships and ashore during the 1880s.

For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.


Photo #: NH 53991

USS Galena (1880-1892)


Ship's Mizzentopmen, with a pet goat and bird circa the 1880s.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 53996

USS Galena (1880-1892)


Ship's African-American sailors, circa the 1880s.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 2860

USS Ossipee (1862-1891)


"Berth Deck, Cook's" in 1887. Photographed by E.H. Hart, 112 E. 24th St., New York.
Note cooking gear, sausages in roasting rack at left, tins of beef (one from New Zealand), bread, man peeling potatoes, black sailor with bowl, coffee cups, and bearded Marine.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 535 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 42949

USS Ossipee (1862-1891)


Crew "At Quarters", circa 1887-88.
Note black sailor in right center; gun crews by their weapons at right, Marines with "Trap-door Springfield" rifles, drummers, dog on deck and hammocks stowed in hammock rails over the bulwarks.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 410 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 42950

USS Ossipee (1862-1891)


"General Muster" on board, circa 1887-88.
The ship's Commanding Officer, Commander William Bainbridge Hoff, is in center, leaning on the grating rack.
Note Marine sentry at the gangway, hammock stowage, and large percentage of black sailors among the crew at left.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 460 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 57901

North Atlantic Squadron Encampment at Camp Osceola, Magnolia Bluffs, Pensacola, Florida, April 1888.


Squadron personnel at the Magnolia Bluffs railway station. Note boys seated on bench at left and navy men on steps carrying assorted gear. Sailor in center is holding a Model 1878 Hotchkiss Magazine Rifle and wears leggings and a cartridge belt.

Photograph from a booklet published by E.H. Hart, New York.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 600 pixels

 


For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.

Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

19 November 1998