USS Monterey
The double-turreted Monterey was the first monitor to be laid down for the new steel Navy of the 1880's. Built in San Francisco for service on the Pacific Station she represented an effort to strengthen the force of armored ships in the Pacific. In 1887, when Monterey was authorized, Monadnock, then rebuilding, was the only potentially effective American armored vessel in the Pacific although Camanche was still available. One of the design features of the Civil War Casco class which added to their displacement problems reappeared in Monterey although in a much more refined and successful form. This feature was the provision of large water-ballast tanks which enabled her freeboard to be decreased by flooding prior to action. The actual cost of Monterey was $2,065,779.30.

Monterey and Monadnock were the only two monitors to cross the Pacific. Both ships were sent to the Philippines to strengthen Dewey's fleet. however, they did not arrive until August of 1898, too late to participate in the Battle of Manila Bay.

SPECIFICATIONS
   Length overall: 260' 11"
   Extreme beam: 59' 1/2" (measured on load water line)
   Draft: 14' 10" (mean)
   Designed speed: 14 knots Never attainedNot found
   Displacement: 4,084 tons
   Engines: 2 vertical triple-expansion engines
   Horsepower: 5,250 indicated horsepower
   Boilers: 4 Babcock & Wilcox
   Bunker capacity: 230 tons coal
   Screws: Twin screw, 10' 2" diameter
   Complement: 190 (218 wartime)
   Armament: 2 12-inch/35 and 2 10-inch/30 breech loading rifles and 6  6-pounders
   Armor: Belt, 5-13"; Barbettes, 11.5-13"; Turrets, 7.5-8"; Conning Tower, 10"

CONCEPT:
The first completely "clean sheet" monitor of the "New Navy" program. In general similar to the previous class, but built much more quickly. Little combat value.

DESIGN:
Originally designed with one 16 inch gun, one 12 inch gun, and one 15 inch pneumatic gun. As built was similar to the previous ships. The 12 inch guns were forward; the 10 inch guns aft. Could ballast down to reduce freeboard in battle. Design speed was 14 knots; this was not reached.

MONTEREY (BM-6):
   Date of contract: 14 June 1889
   Laid down: 20 December 1889
   Launched: 28 April 1891
   Commissioned: 13 February 1893, Captain Louis Kemp
   Builder: Union Iron Works, San Francisco, Calif.
   Service speed: 13.60 knots on trial

OPERATIONAL HISTORY
Operated along the west coast, then sent to the Philippines for Spanish-American War service, 1898. Reboilered at Hong Kong, 1900. Served on China Station, primarily at Shanghai, 1900-1903. Decommissioned to reserve in the Philippines 15 December 1904.

Recommissioned to commissioned reserve 28 September 1907; decommissioned to reserve 7 May 1908 but was again placed in commissioned reserve. Recommissioned to full commission 9 November 1911 and served on China Station through 1913. Decommissioned to reserve 11 February 1913; recommissioned for WWI service mid-1914 but remained mostly inactive.

Towed to Pearl Harbor 1917 and served as station ship and submarine tender at Pearl Harbor until decommissioned for disposal 27 August 1921. Designation BM 6 assigned 17 July 1920. Sold 25 February 1922; towed to California and scrapped.

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Last Updated 17 November 1999 

© 1998-2004 Benjamin M. Givens, Jr.