USS Illinois (BB-7)

USS Illinois (BB-7)

USS "Illinois" (BB-7), the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 21st state, was a battleship, the lead ship of her class.

Her keel was laid down 10 February 1897 by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company of Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on 4 October 1898 sponsored by Miss Nancy Leiter, daughter of Chicago multi-millionaire Levi Z. Leiter ["She is Back From India." "Newark Daily Advocate" Newark, Ohio. Wednesday, 19 September 1900. Page 3.] and commissioned on 16 September 1901 with Captain George A. Converse in command.

1900s

After shakedown and training in Chesapeake Bay, the new battleship sailed 20 November 1901 for Algiers, Louisiana, where she was used to test a new floating dry dock. She returned to Newport News in January 1902 and from 15 February to 28 February served as flagship for Rear Admiral R.D. Evans during the reception for Prince Henry of Prussia. Bearing the flag of Rear Admiral A.S. Crowninshield, the battleship departed New York City on 30 April 1902 and arrived at Naples on 18 May, where the Admiral took command of the European Squadron. "Illinois" carried out training and ceremonial duties until 14 July 1902, when she grounded in the harbor of Kristiania, Norway, and had to return to England for repairs. She remained at Chatham until 1 September 1902, then proceeded to the Mediterranean Sea and South Atlantic for fleet maneuvers.

"Illinois" was detached from the European Squadron 10 January 1903 and assigned to the North Atlantic. She engaged in fleet maneuvers, gunnery and seamanship training, and ceremonial operations until December 1907, when she joined the Great White Fleet for the cruise around the world. Following a Presidential review, the mighty battleships sailed from Hampton Roads on their important voyage. The Atlantic Fleet joined the Pacific Fleet 8 May 1908 in San Francisco Bay and after a review by the Secretary of the Navy the combined fleets continued their cruise. The ships visited Australia, Japan, Ceylon, and other countries, arriving at Suez on 3 January 1909. At Suez word of the Sicilian earthquake sent "Illinois", USS|Connecticut|BB-18|2, and USS|Culgoa|AF-3|2 to Messina. After rendering valuable aid to victims of the disaster, the ships rejoined the fleet, returning to Hampton Roads 22 February 1909. President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt reviewed the fleet as it arrived, having given the world a graphic demonstration of America's naval might. "Illinois" decommissioned at Boston, Massachusetts, on 4 August 1909. "Illinois" underwent a major modernization, receiving new "cage" masts and more modern equipment.

1910s

The battleship was placed in reserve commission 15 April 1912 and recommissioned 2 November 1912, in time to take part in winter fleet exercises and battle maneuvers with the Atlantic Fleet. During the summers of 1913 and 1914 "Illinois" made training cruises to Europe with Midshipmen. In 1919 the ship was again laid up at Philadelphia Navy Yard until she was loaned to the State of New York on 23 October 1921 for use by the Naval Militia. Illinois was given the hull number BB-7 in July 1920.

Decommissioning

Excluded from further use as a warship by the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, "Illinois" was fitted out as a floating armory at New York Navy Yard in 1924 and was assigned to the New York Naval Reserve. She remained there for more than 30 years, though reclassified IX-15 on 8 January 1941 and renamed "Prairie State" to allow her name to be assigned to a projected new battleship, USS|Illinois|BB-65. During World War II she served as a Naval Reserve Midshipmen Training School at New York. Following the war, she was retained on loan to the State as quarters for a Naval Reserve unit until 31 December 1956.

"Prairie State", after over 50 years of useful service to the Navy and the Nation, was towed to Baltimore, Maryland, and sold for scrap to Bethlehem Steel Company on 18 May 1956.

ilver Service

On 17 November 1901, "Illinois" was presented with a silver service dining set provided by the state of Illinois and presented by Senator William E. Mason. It consisted of a large and small punch bowl, two candelabra, an ornamented fruit dish, a small fruit dish, two epicurean dishes, a large centerpiece and a ladle. Each item featured engravings of the crest of Illinois and an ear of corn. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9502E7D81130E132A25754C1A9679D946097D6CF BATTLESHIP ILLINOIS'S GIFT.; Handsome Silver Service Presented by Senator Mason in Behalf of the People of Illinois.] The New York Times. 17 November 1901.] It was a tradition for states to provide a silver service to ships named after them. The silver was purchased by the state of Illinois after "Illinois" was decommissioned. It is stored in the breakfront in the state dining room of the Illinois Executive Mansion. [State of Illinois. Executive Mansion tour. [http://www.state.il.us/gov/mansion2/htmls/pdining.html State Dining Room] .]

References

Further reading

Alden, John D. "American Steel Navy: A Photographic History of the U.S. Navy from the Introduction of the Steel Hull in 1883 to the Cruise of the Great White Fleet." Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1989. ISBN 0870212486

Friedman, Norman. "U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History." Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1985. ISBN 0870217151

Reilly, John C. and Robert L. Scheina. "American Battleships 1896-1923: Predreadnought Design and Construction." Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1980. ISBN 0870215248

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-i/bb7.htm NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER USS Illinois (Battleship # 7, later BB-7), 1901-1956. Later renamed Prairie State and designated IX-15.]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/uss_illinois_bb7.htm Maritimequest USS Illinois BB-7 Photo Gallery]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/07a.htm NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive BB-7 USS ILLINOIS 1898 - 1905]


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