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USS
Connecticut, Flagship
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USS Connecticut (BB-18) was built by New York Navy, laid down
30 March 1903, launched 29 September 1904 and commissioned 29 September 1906
with Captain W. Swift in command. Miss A. Welles, granddaughter of Gideon Welles
who was Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War, sponsored
her.
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| Joining the Atlantic Fleet, Connecticut became flagship 16
April 1907, and later that month joined in the Presidential Fleet Review and
other ceremonies opening the Jamestown Exposition |
| On 16 December 1907, still flagship, she sailed from Hampton Roads on
the cruise round the world of the Great White Fleet. On 8 May 1908, the Atlantic
Fleet joined the Pacific Fleet in San Francisco Bay for a review by the
Secretary of the Navy. The combined fleets then continued their cruise, with
Connecticut as flagship, showing the flag and bringing a show of American
strength to many parts of the world. The fleet returned to Hampton Roads 22
February 1909. |
| In the summer of 1920, Connecticut sailed to the Caribbean and
the West Coast on a midshipman-Naval Reserve-training cruise. The next summer
found her in European ports on similar duty, and upon her return to Philadelphia
21 August 1921, was assigned as flagship Training, Pacific Fleet. She arrived at
San Pedro, California, 28 October, and during the following year cruised along
the West Coast, taking part in exercises and commemorations. |
| Entering Puget Sound Navy Yard 16 December 1922, Connecticut
was decommissioned there 1 March 1923, sold for scrapping 1 November 1923 in
accordance with the Washington Treaty for the limitation of naval armaments and
stricken 10 November 1923. |
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