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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
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.
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 |
 |
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Historical Center home page.
Page made 19 August 2007
New image added 10 May 2008