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Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Taussig Sr., Joseph Knefler, VADM USN(Ret).
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Amphitrite Class Monitor: Displacement 3,990 Tons. Dimensions,262 x 55.5 x 14.5 feet/80.08 x 16.86 x 4.42 meters. Armament 2 dual 10/30, 2 6-pound, 2 3-pound. Armor, Steel & Iron: 9 inch belt, 11.5 inch barbettes, 7.5 inch turrets, 7.5 inch CT. Machinery, HC engines, 4 boilers, 2 shafts, 1,600 hp. Speed, 12 knots.
Operational and Building Data: Built by Harlan & Hollingsworth, Wilmington, DE. Laid down 1874, suspended 1876, resumed 1882, launched 7 June 1883, transferred to Norfolk Navy Yard for completion, commissioned 23 April 1895. Operated mainly in training roles; decommissioned to reserve mid-1897. Recommissioned 2 October 1897 but saw little activity. Operated around Cuba, Puerto Rico and Key West during the Spanish-American War; bombarded San Juan 12 May 1898. Postwar operated as a gunnery training ship. Decommissioned to reserve 30 November 1901 for repairs. Recommissioned 1 December 1902 as a training ship; served as station ship in Cuba 1904-1907. Decommissioned to reserve 3 August 1907. Placed in commission in reserve for reservist training 14 June 1910. Loaned to the Connecticut Naval Militia 1916-1917. Served as a guardship at New York 1917-1919. Decommissioned 31 May 1919, stricken for disposal 24 July 1919, sold 3 January 1920. Used as a floating hotel and gambling casino; then chartered to the government in 1943 for use as a barracks at Elizabeth City, NC. Towed to Maryland for use as a floating restaurant and hotel in 1950, but sold in 1951.
Fate:: Planned refit for use as an oil exploration support ship canceled; sold for scrapping in early 1952.