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Photo # NH 91372:  USS Kearsarge illuminated with electric lights, at Portsmouth, England, July 1903

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

USS Kearsarge (Battleship # 5), 1900-1955 --
European Cruise, 1903.

In June and July 1903 USS Kearsarge served as flagship of the Navy's European Squadron. Accompanied by other ships of the squadron, among them the cruisers Chicago and San Francisco, she visited ports in northern Europe. While at Kiel, Germany, on 25 June, Kaiser Wilhelm II came on board for lunch. Three weeks later, on 13 July, Kearsarge hosted the Prince of Wales (later King George V) at Portsmouth, England. Returning to the United States late in July, the battleship again took up her normal duties as flagship of the North Atlantic Fleet.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Kearsarge's 1903 European Cruise.

For other images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Kearsarge (Battleship # 5), 1900-1955.


    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 93402

    USS Kearsarge
    (Battleship # 5)

    Visiting Kiel, Germany, circa 25 June 1903, while serving as flagship of the U.S. European Squadron.
    SMS Hohenzollern, the German imperial yacht, is at left, with USS Chicago (1889-1936) partially visible beyond her stern.

    Collection of Paymaster William R. Pattison, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 93730

    USS Kearsarge
    (Battleship # 5)

    Crew manning the rails and superstructure, with arms linked, as German Kaiser Wilhelm II leaves the ship following lunch on board, at Kiel, Germany, 25 June 1903.
    The Kaiser is seated in the stern of the rowing cutter, in the center of the photograph.

    Collection of Paymaster William R. Pattison, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 71698

    USS Kearsarge
    (Battleship # 5), at right

    Leads ships of the U.S. European Squadron past a line of British Battleships, during a visit to an English port in 1903. The two ships immediately astern of Kearsarge are USS Chicago (1889-1935) and USS San Francisco (Cruiser # 5).
    Photographed by West & Son, Southsea, England.
    Note Kearsarge's figurehead and anchor, and Sailors manning the rails and bridges on all ships present.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 71699

    USS Kearsarge
    (Battleship # 5), at right

    Steams past a pair of British Majestic class battleships, during a visit to an English port in 1903. Crewmen are manning the rails and superstructures of all three ships.
    Photographed by West & Son, Southsea, England.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 75716

    USS Kearsarge
    (Battleship # 5)

    Receives the cheers of crewmen on board a British battleship, during her visit to Spithead, England, in July 1903. USS Chicago (1889-1935) is in the extreme left background.
    Note the British ship's steam picket boat and pulling boats.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Admiral William V. Pratt.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 140KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 91372

    USS Kearsarge
    (Battleship # 5)

    Illuminated with electric lights, while visiting Portsmough, England in July 1903.
    Note the ship of the line (possibly HMS Victory) in the right background, also illuminated.

    Donation of Mrs. L.G. Martin, 1968.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 91KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 93731

    USS Kearsarge
    (Battleship # 5)

    Crewmen, with arms linked, manning the rails and superstructure as the British Prince of Wales (the future King George V) leaves the ship after having lunch on board, at Portsmouth, England, 13 July 1903.

    Collection of Paymaster William R. Pattison, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 129KB; 740 x 590 pixels

     

    Note: This photograph has serious water damage, especially in its lower right

    Photo #: NH 105058

    USS Kearsarge
    (Battleship # 5)

    U.S. Navy officers on board the ship, with three ladies and a British flag officer, circa 13 July 1903, probably at Portsmouth, England.
    Seated in the front row are left to right:
    Captain Joseph N. Hemphill, USN, Commanding Officer, USS Kearsarge;
    Rear Admiral Sir Edward Chichester, Royal Navy;
    Lilian M. Forbes;
    Rear Admiral Charles S. Cotton, USN, Commanding U.S. European Squadron;
    Jean Forbes;
    Mary Bruce; and
    an unidentified U.S. Navy Commander.
    Identifiable among those standing are:
    Ensign Henry George Stewart Wallace, USN, (behind Capt. Hemphill); and
    Lieutenant Charles L. Hussey, USN, Flag Secretary to RAdm. Cotten (with full beard, behind RAdm. Cotton).

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of O.J. Hemphill.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image size: 111KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105059

    HMS Victory
    (British Ship of the Line)

    Firing a salute in honor of the visit by ships of the U.S. European Squadron to Portsmouth, England, 13 July 1903.
    Photographed from just beyond the stern of the visiting squadron's flagship, USS Kearsarge (Battleship # 5), whose National Ensign is in the upper foreground.
    The print has been signed by Prince George (later King George V).
    This photograph, and Photo # NH 105058, are mounted in a frame made of wood from HMS Victory.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of O.J. Hemphill.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image size: 94KB; 650 x 675 pixels

     

    For other images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Kearsarge (Battleship # 5), 1900-1955.


    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 9 March 2003
    New images added 16 December 2007