Service history USS San Francisco (C-5)

1 service history

1.1 pre-spanish–american war
1.2 spanish–american war
1.3 pre-world war i
1.4 world war i
1.5 inter-war period

service history
pre-spanish–american war

assigned south pacific squadron, san francisco moved south , became squadron s flagship on 31 march 1891. 5 months later, eight-month-old civil war drew close in chile, landed force of sailors , marines protect united states consulate. september brought end war, , san francisco resumed cruising off south american coast. new year, 1892, sailed north , west , arrived @ honolulu on 27 february political differences deepened between monarchists , republicans. departed hawaii in august 1892, en route norfolk, virginia, arrived in february 1893.

san francisco became flagship of north atlantic squadron on 31 may , cruised off new england coast fall. in november, sailed south, visited ports in caribbean; and, in late december, reached rio de janeiro , assumed flagship duties south atlantic squadron. called @ ports in brazil, netherlands west indies, colombia, costa rica, , nicaragua during next 6 months, returned united states, anchoring @ new york city on 29 july 1894.

spanish–american war

the year 1895 brought further overseas duty; and, in january, san francisco crossed atlantic cruise in eastern mediterranean sea political tension within ottoman empire caused diplomatic uneasiness. later shifted other areas, remained in european waters, serving flagship of commodore thomas o. selfridge, jr., commander of european squadron, until 1896. in march of year, returned u.s.; cruised off east coast until outbreak of war against spain in april 1898; took patrol duties along florida coast , off cuba. in july, spain requested terms; and, in august, returned hampton roads. placed out of commission @ norfolk navy yard on 25 october.

pre-world war i

recommissioned on 2 january 1902, san francisco again assigned european squadron. in september, returned u.s. , commenced operations southward caribbean. cruise mediterranean, thence on asiatic ports, followed; and, in fall of 1904, protected cruiser again entered norfolk navy yard, decommissioned on 31 december.

in june 1908, san francisco ordered refitted minelaying vessel; , in 1910, rearmed 8 5 inch (127 mm)/40 caliber guns , capacity of 300 mines. on 21 august 1911, recommissioned retained in reserve; and, after participation in fleet review @ new york, placed in full commission on 29 november.

designated mine planter on 19 december 1912, remained based @ norfolk , operated in western atlantic , caribbean 1916, when again ordered inactivated. in 1914, took part in united states occupation of veracruz. placed in reserve @ portsmouth, new hampshire on 6 june 1916, resumed full commissioned status again on 18 october.

world war i

with april 1917 entry of united states world war i, san francisco began laying anti-submarine nets in hampton roads area. in june, shifted new york, conducted experimental deep water minelaying operations; and, during august, underwent overhaul @ portsmouth navy yard. in mid-september, moved down coast new london, connecticut provided net laying services until ordered norfolk training duty later in fall. december 1917-march 1918, underwent extensive overhaul; and, in april, became flagship of mine squadron 1.

in may, squadron assembled @ newport, rhode island. on 12th, ships sailed england. on 26th, units of royal navy escorted ships inverness. san francisco joined allied effort of creating north sea mine barrage across north sea restrict german submarine traffic atlantic. san francisco laid total of 9,102 mines:

planting 153 mines during 1st minelaying excursion on 7 june,
planting 170 mines during 3rd minelaying excursion on 14 july,
planting 170 mines during 4th minelaying excursion on 29 july,
planting 170 mines during 5th minelaying excursion on 8 august,
planting 166 mines on 12 august field test sensitivity settings antenna fuze detonating relay of mk 6 mines,
planting 160 mines during 6th minelaying excursion on 18 august,
planting 170 mines during 7th minelaying excursion on 26 august,
planting 170 mines during 8th minelaying excursion on 7 september,
planting 170 mines during 9th minelaying excursion on 20 september,
planting 170 mines during 10th minelaying excursion on 27 september,
planting 170 mines during 11th minelaying excursion on 4 october,
planting 170 mines during 12th minelaying excursion on 13 october, and
planting 170 mines during final 13th minelaying excursion on 24 october.

inter-war period

san francisco conducted minelaying operations until armistice on 11 november. minesweepers moved in, , prepared return home. departed inverness on 2 december , arrived in hampton roads on 3 january 1919. overhaul followed, after cruised in western atlantic , caribbean through 1921. designated cm-2 (cruiser minelayer) on 17 july 1920, ordered inactivated in 1921; , on 6 october, arrived @ philadelphia decommissioned on 24 december 1921.

remaining in reserve through decade, cm-2 renamed tahoe, , yosemite, effective 1 january 1931, allow name san francisco given ca-38, under construction. yosemite, remained @ philadelphia 8 years. name struck naval vessel register on 8 june 1937, retained @ navy yard until sold scrapping union shipbuilding company, baltimore, maryland on 20 april 1939.