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Photo # NH 92201:  USS Iris off Guaymas, Mexico, 26 December 1915

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Iris (1898-1917).
Originally S.S. Dryden (British Freighter, 1885). Later civilian training ship Iris.

USS Iris, a 1923-ton distilling ship, collier and torpedo vessel tender, was built in 1885 at Newcastle, England, as the commercial freighter Dryden. She was purchased by the Navy in late May 1898, for use during the Spanish-American War, and converted to a distilling ship. Commissioned at the beginning of August 1898, after the war was effectively over, a few months later she was sent to the Philippines to support U.S. Naval forces in those distant waters. Iris returned to the United States in November 1903, was modified at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, for employment as a collier and then went back to the Far East for further service. In mid-1909 the ship again steamed to the U.S. West Coast, where she was again converted, this time becoming tender to the Pacific Torpedo Fleet's submarines and torpedo boats. In late 1915 and early 1916 Iris operated in Mexican waters during a period of local disorder. She later served as a target tug before being decommissioned in early May 1916.

Transferred to the United States Shipping Board in May 1917, as S.S. Iris she was used as a training ship for merchant mariners during and shortly after World War I. She was sold by the Shipping Board at San Francisco, California, in July 1920 and scrapped in 1928.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Iris (1898-1917) and the civilian steamship Dryden (later Iris) of 1885.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

Photo #: NH 105724

USS Iris
(1898-1917)

Off San Diego, California, circa the "Teens".
Photographed by Lee Passmore, "Post Card Artist", 25th & M Streets, San Diego.
The original image is printed on post card ("Velox") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 485 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 92201

USS Iris
(1898-1917)

Anchored off Guaymas, Mexico, 26 December 1915.
Photographed by Hopkins.

Collection of Thomas P. Naughton, 1973.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 104449

USS Iris
(1898-1917)

Anchored in San Diego Harbor, California, while serving as tender to the Pacific Fleet Torpedo Squadron, circa 1909-1912.
USS Rowan (Torpedo Boat # 8) is alongside.
Photograph by McDaniel, printed on postcard ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 495 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 53268

USS Iris
(1898-1917)

In San Diego harbor, California, while serving as torpedo vessel tender for the Pacific Fleet.
USS Davis (Torpedo Boat # 12) and USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) are alongside.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 490 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 65153

USS Iris
(1898-1917)

At anchor with four submarines alongside, circa 1913-1916.
An armored cruiser is in the left distance.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1968.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 102996

S.S. Iris
(Anglo-American Steamship, 1885)

Montage of views of the ship, her crew and training activities, during or shortly after World War I, while she was employed as a merchant marine training ship. Man marked by an arrow in the upper right view is named Nelson.
This ship was USS Iris in 1898-1917.
The original images are printed on postal card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 490 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 19 August 2007
New image added 10 May 2008