USS Choctaw (1898)

USS Choctaw, built in 1898, was a United States Navy auxiliary cruiser that served briefly during the Spanish-American War. Originally the civilian passenger and freight steamship El Cid, she was purchased by the Navy for wartime service.

El Cid was built in 1892 by William Cramp & Sons in Philadelphia for the Southern Pacific Railroad's "Morgan Line" operating between New York City and New Orleans. When the United States declared war on Spain in April 1898, the Navy acquired several civilian vessels for conversion into auxiliary warships. El Cid was purchased on April 20, 1898, and renamed Choctaw, assigned the registry number PY-2.

USS Choctaw was armed with rapid-fire guns and performed patrol duties in the Caribbean Sea. Her primary task was to maintain a naval presence and enforce the blockade of Cuba. While she did not engage in any major battles or capture any significant prizes, her service contributed to the overall naval effort during the conflict.

Following the cessation of hostilities with Spain, Choctaw was decommissioned on August 15, 1898, at Norfolk, Virginia. She was returned to her former owners, the Southern Pacific Railroad, and resumed her commercial service as El Cid. The ship continued operating in passenger and freight transport until she was eventually scrapped sometime later. Her brief service as USS Choctaw represents a small but important part of the US Navy's mobilization efforts during the Spanish-American War.