USS Charleston (C-2)

The USS Charleston (C-2) was a protected cruiser of the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class. She was commissioned in 1889 and served until 1906.

Charleston was built by the Union Iron Works in San Francisco, California. She was designed for a blend of speed and firepower, typical of protected cruisers of the era, intended for commerce raiding and fleet scouting. Her armament initially included six 8-inch guns, four 6-inch guns, and several smaller guns for close-range defense.

Her early service included patrols in the Pacific and diplomatic missions. A notable event in her pre-Spanish-American War career was her participation in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Charleston played a key role in the capture of Guam. The ship sailed into Apra Harbor and, without encountering any resistance, fired a few shells at the undefended Spanish fort. The Spanish garrison, unaware that the United States and Spain were at war, surrendered. Charleston then proceeded to capture the island of Guam for the United States.

Following the capture of Guam, Charleston participated in operations in the Philippines, including the Battle of Manila.

On November 2, 1899, while en route to the Philippines, Charleston struck an uncharted reef off Camiguin Island and was wrecked. All crew members were rescued.

Despite her relatively short operational life, USS Charleston (C-2) played a significant role in the expansion of American influence in the Pacific and is remembered for her part in the Spanish-American War.