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Aileen, a 192-ton yacht, was built at Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1896. She was purchased by the Navy in late April 1898 and converted to a gunboat at the New York Navy Yard. Commissioned as USS Aileen in mid-May, she served in a coastal defense role during the Spanish-American War. In May 1899 Aileen was assigned to the New York Naval Militia, with which she served as a training ship for over a decade. Her New York service ended in November 1909, and in 1910 she joined the Rhode Island Naval Militia.
When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Aileen returned to regular Navy duties. She performed patrol and training missions along the southern shore of New England for the next two years. Decommissioned in July 1919, USS Aileen was sold in November 1920.
This page features all the views we have of USS Aileen (1898-1920).
| 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.
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Photo #: 19-N-17-5-2 USS Aileen (1898-1920) Fitting out for Spanish-American War service, in drydock at the New York Navy Yard, 17 May 1898. USS Topeka (1898-1930) is in the right center background, also fitting out for war service. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 140KB; 740 x 575 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 57751 USS Aileen (1898-1920) In dry dock at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, while being converted for naval service, 17 May 1898. Note light armor plate being installed on her hull amidships to protect her boilers. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 142KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 98246 USS Aileen (1898-1920) Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken in 1899, probably after Aileen's transfer to the New York Naval Militia. Copied from "The New Navy of the United States", by N.L. Stebbins, (New York, 1912). Donation of David Shadell, 1987. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 42KB; 740 x 270 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 67564 USS Aileen (1898-1920) Underway, circa 1899-1908. Note her 45-star National Ensign. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 450 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 77187 USS Aileen (1898-1920) In port, prior to World War I. Note the New York & New Haven Railway cars on the dock behind her. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1973. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 490 pixels |
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What is probably USS Aileen (1898-1920) is seen in the background of the following view of another ship:
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Photo #: 19-N-19-16-10 USS Viking (1898-1899) Off the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, after being fitted for naval service, 21 May 1898. Ship in right background is probably USS Aileen (1898-1920), another yacht converted for use in the Spanish-American War. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 625 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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| If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
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Historical Center home page.Page originally posted 10 October 1998
Revised and expanded 14 December 2002