USS Florida (BM-9)

USS Florida (BM-9) was a monitor of the United States Navy that played a significant role in the Spanish-American War. The ship was named after the State of Florida and was the second ship to bear this name, following the USS Florida (1824) and preceding the USS Florida (BB-30). The USS Florida (BM-9) was part of the Navy Department's efforts to modernize its fleet, as seen in the development of other monitors like the USS Arkansas (BM-7) and the USS Nevada (BM-8).

● History

The USS Florida (BM-9) was built at the William Cramp & Sons shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with its keel laid on January 23, 1889. The ship was launched on November 20, 1889, and sponsored by Miss Elizabeth DuBose Gaillard, the daughter of a prominent United States Senator from Alabama, Jeremiah N. Williams. The USS Florida (BM-9) was commissioned on June 18, 1892, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, who later played a key role in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. The ship's early career involved training exercises with the North Atlantic Squadron and participation in the New York City Fleet Week celebrations, alongside other notable ships like the USS Maine (ACR-1) and the USS Texas (1892).

● Characteristics

The USS Florida (BM-9) was a monitor with a displacement of 3,225 long tons (3,279 t) and a length of 262 feet (80 m). The ship was equipped with a pair of 10-inch (254 mm) guns and had a top speed of 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph). The USS Florida (BM-9) was also equipped with a ram and had a crew of 150 officers and enlisted men. The ship's design was influenced by the works of Theodore R. Timby, a prominent United States Navy engineer, and was similar to that of the USS Monterey (BM-6) and the USS Terror (BM-4).

● Service history

The USS Florida (BM-9) played a significant role in the Spanish-American War, participating in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba and the Siege of Santiago. The ship was part of the North Atlantic Squadron under the command of Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, who led the squadron to victory in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. The USS Florida (BM-9) also participated in the Blockade of Cuba and the Invasion of Puerto Rico, alongside other notable ships like the USS Iowa (BB-4) and the USS Marblehead (C-11).

● Commanding officers

The USS Florida (BM-9) had several commanding officers throughout its career, including Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, who commanded the ship during its early years, and Lieutenant Commander Charles J. Train, who commanded the ship during the Spanish-American War. Other notable commanding officers of the ship included Lieutenant Commander William L. Rodgers, who later served as the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard Academy, and Lieutenant Commander Frank Friday Fletcher, who later served as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet. The ship's commanding officers were trained at the United States Naval Academy and had served on other notable ships like the USS Olympia (C-6) and the USS Brooklyn (ACR-3). Category:Ships of the United States Navy