CREW OF USS OLYMPIA
FLAGSHIP OF THE US NAVY’S ASIATIC SQUADRON AT MANILA BAY, THE USS OLYMPIA BECAME A SYMBOL OF AMERICAN NAVAL MIGHT
During the pre-dreadnought era, the US Navy embarked on several programs of modernisation, leading to the construction of warships of iron and steel, enclosed turrets mounting ever larger calibre guns and the conversion from sail to coal and steam power. The USS Olympia, an armoured cruiser launched in 1892, was a powerful, modern weapon of war that proved its effectiveness during the Battle of Manila Bay, which ended with the destruction of a Spanish naval squadron.
The combat efficiency of the 5,586-ton Olympia, regardless of its modern construction, equipment and armament, was dependent on the readiness of its crew, which was comprised of more than 400 officers and sailors, each with a specialised task to perform. Crewmen drilled regularly on firing the 20-centimetre (8inch) main batteries, as well as on the various secondary guns and the cruiser’s four handcranked Gatling guns. They trained continually in the use of small arms, navigation, signalling and mechanical operations, such as maximum efficiency of the ship’s boilers. They existed in cramped quarters, sleeping in hammocks, and rotated duty stations regularly.
After the victory at Manila Bay, the Olympia crew was lauded for its performance in combat.
“THEY TRAINED CONTINUALLY IN THE USE OF SMALL ARMS, NAVIGATION, SIGNALLING AND MECHANICAL OPERATIONS, SUCH AS MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY OF THE SHIP’S BOILERS”