USS Olympia (C-6)

The USS Olympia (C-6) was a protected cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1895 and best known for being the flagship of Commodore George Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War in 1898. She was the only surviving warship from that battle.

Olympia was built by Union Iron Works in San Francisco, California and was considered a state-of-the-art warship at the time of her launch. Her design reflected the late 19th-century emphasis on speed, firepower, and protection. She was armed with four 8-inch guns in two twin turrets, ten 5-inch guns, and various smaller caliber weapons. Her armor protection included a steel deck and armored turrets.

Following the Battle of Manila Bay, Olympia participated in the blockade and capture of Manila. After the Spanish-American War, she served in the Pacific and later in the Atlantic, performing various duties including serving as a training ship. She also carried the body of the Unknown Soldier of World War I from France to the United States in 1921 for interment at Arlington National Cemetery.

Olympia was decommissioned in 1922 and became a museum ship at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although preserved for many years, her future has been uncertain due to the significant costs associated with maintaining her. Several proposals for her preservation and relocation have been considered. As of late 2023, ownership was transferred to the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, with ongoing efforts to determine the best course for her long-term preservation. Her historical significance as a symbol of American naval power and a veteran of a pivotal historical event ensures continued interest in her fate.