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by Patrick McSherry

The converted yacht U.S.S. YANKTON

GENERAL:

BACKGROUND:

The vessel was assigned to the blockade of Cuba. YANKTON departed Hampton Roads on June 18, first being sent to Santiago and then to Cienfuegos, where it arrived on June 27. On June 29, YANKTON joined the U.S.S. EAGLE in bombarding Spanish shore batteries near Casilda, Cuba. Also, while off Cienfuegos, YANKTON took up the chase of a Spanish merchantman, the ALFONSO XII, that was attempting to run the blockade. YANKTON was, unfortunately, unable to catch her, but she was later forced aground near Mariel by the U.S.S. CASTINE and U.S.S. HAWK. On July 21 the vessel returned to Santiago and was sent immediately to Guantanamo Bay which she reached with only shovels full of coal left in er bunkers. The vessel returned to Cienfuegos on August 1. Shortly afterwards, on August 12 an armistice was reached between the United States and Spain ending the war's fighting.  YANKTON returned to the U.S., arriving at Key West, Florida on August 17, and arriving in Norfolk, Virginia on September 17. On September 24, Lt. Cmdr. Adams was transferred to duties in Washington. Adams was replaced by Lt. G. L. Dyer. Before the war ended on December 10, 1898 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. YANKTON was being refitted as coastal survey vessel.

Following the war YANKTON returned to Cuba to perform coastal survey, surveying Santiago Harbor, Nipe Bay, Levisa Bay, Gibara, Cienfuegos, and the Isle of Pines among others. She also surveyed portions of the coast of Puerto Rico. This work was completed in 1903 and YANKTON became the tender to the U.S.S. FRANKLIN through 1904. Next she became tender to the new U.S.S. MAINE until 1906, when she began serving as a support vessel throughout the Atlantic Fleet.

From 1907 through 1909 YANKTON was part of the unprecedented world cruise of the American Battle Fleet, better known as the "Great White Fleet" where she acted in support and served the fleet commanders. During the cruise, the YANKTON was ordered on a side mission to the Galapagos Islands to attempt to locate an American shipwreck survivor. Though evidence was found of the man's presence, neither he nor his body could be located. Later, when in the Mediterranean, YANKTON stopped at Messina, Sicily to aid the victims of an earthquake that had hit the island.

From 1909 to 1917 YANKTON again served as tender to the Atlantic Fleet. During World War One she served as part of the Patrol Force, initially serving off the northeastern U.S. coast and then off Gibraltar, patrolling the coasts of England, France, and the western Mediterranean to defend shipping convoys from the threat of submarine attack. YANKTON returned to the U.S. in September of 1918. Following the Armistice, YANKTON was ordered back to Europe and supported the Murmansk, Russia, expedition. The commander of the American forces in northern Russia, Rear Admiral N. A. McCully, briefly resided aboard YANKTON. The vessel conducted patrols, acted as a military transport and as the radio ship for Murmansk. In 1919 YANKTON was ordered to England and then back to New York in 1920 where she was decommissioned. She was sold later the same year becoming a merchant vessel.

In 1922 YANKTON was captured as a rum runner but eventually returned to commercial service. She was finally broken up and scrapped in 1930.

The YANKTON served as a support vessel, a messenger and a lightly armed patrol vessel. She was able to perform these duties. However, she was unarmored, and only lightly armed and could not take part in any major action. Her speed was acceptable, though not exceedingly fast.

TECHNOTES