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1901 USS Iowa Battleship BB 4 Navy Ship Card Advertising Yacht Dolphin 1/30/1901
Has some wear as seen in pictures being 125 years old.
The front image displays a vintage trade card or postcard of the USS Iowa (BB-4), a pre-dreadnought battleship commissioned in 1897.
Item Identification
Based on its dimensions 3.7/8” x 2.25” this is likely a Victorian trade card or an early tobacco card, which were typically smaller than standard
postcards of the era.
The Vessel: The USS Iowa (BB-4) was the first U.S. battleship with a high forecastle, significantly improving its seaworthiness over previous designs.
Historical Context: It played a major role in the Spanish-American War, notably during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898, where it assisted in destroying Spanish cruisers.
Specifications of the BB-4
The ship depicted has the following historical characteristics:
Armament: Originally equipped with four 12-inch (305 mm) and eight 8-inch (203 mm) guns.
Fate: After serving as a training ship during World War I, it was converted into the U.S. Navy’s first radio-controlled target ship and scuttled during exercises in 1923.
The back of the card advertises the Yacht "Dolphin", which operated out of the D-Street Boathouse at the foot of D Street (now Broadway). These trips were specifically marketed to see "warships on all receiving days," likely including the USS Iowa (BB-4), which visited San Diego during its service in the early 1900s.
Historical Context
Location: The "D-Street Boathouse" refers to the foot of Broadway in downtown San Diego, a major hub for naval activity and early tourism.
The Ship: The ship you mentioned on the front is the USS Iowa (BB-4), the lead ship of her class and one of the "White Squadron" battleships known for their distinctive white paint in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
The Route: The card lists a route past local landmarks including Roseville, La Playa, and the fortifications at Fort Rosecrans, all situated along the San Diego Bay.
Date: A handwritten date on the card appears to be 1901, which aligns with the USS Iowa's active service period and the operation of the original D-Street.
Today, the legacy of the name "Dolphin" continues in San Diego with the USS Dolphin (AGSS-555), a record-breaking research submarine preserved at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
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